Our speaker this week was Chris Sattler, the CEO of the Company operating float planes from the Auckland Harbour.
Chris has an interesting background, born in Germany, has served in the German Airforce, travelled extensively and indeed visited over 100 countries. He is now a NZ citizen and also a member of the Auckland Rotary Club.
He identified himself as a stubborn german and needed all his resolve to move through the government processes to set up his fledging airline on the Waitemata harbour two years ago. We saw a promotional video highlighting the trips and package tours available, including Kawau Island , Great Barrier, Waiheke, and Rangitoto .Indeed Chris will tailor a flight to meet your requirements. Mike Collins celebrated his birthday with a flight that ended in/on the Tamaki River and the party stepped ashore at Bucklands Beach for a coffee.
Whilst boat traffic on the harbour can sometimes be restrictive the De Havilland Beaver floatplanes have short takeoff and landing requirements. They plan their trips around say yacht races and are in contact with the local yachting clubs.
Some readers may well remember the TEAL flying boats that operated from Mechanics Bay some years ago!! As a tribute to these pioneering days Chris has one float plane designated AMA which was also used on a TEAL plane.
Chris has purchased a second DeHavilland plane from Canada and shipped it to NZ in a container. This is a larger plane and provides more flexibility for their operations. The future looks very promising for the Company.
The Company is a finalist in the NZ Tourism awards .
If you are looking at a novel way to celebrate then Chris is your man.