Pilot Dave Paterson and the DC-3 at Idaburn. Photo by
Gerard O'Brien.
Piloting the DC-3 heritage airliner at Idaburn had a
special significance for former Patearoa resident Dave
Paterson.
Mr Paterson (28), of Christchurch, was born and raised in the
small Maniototo settlement of Patearoa, and said it was
humbling to return to and give children opportunities which
were not available when he was young.
"This is what the DC-3 is all about - sharing it with Kiwis.
It's a neat thing to be able to come here and land in the
Maniototo because I've got a strong connection to the area,
and it's great to see the locals supporting it," he said.
It was the first time a passenger airliner had used the
airstrip.
"When I grew up there was a couple of top-dressers and a few
aviation enthusiasts, including my father and grandfather, so
it's really satisfying to come back and share this kind of
thing with local kids," he said.
A volunteer pilot for the DC-3 trust, Mr Paterson said flying
the airliner during his time off work was worth every minute.
"It's a real privilege to be able to take an airliner like
this, with its veracity and durability, out to a paddock in
the middle of the Maniototo."
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