Ex-Fiji Pilot Does
pp. 116-117 · Read in the full issue
Calling Freddie Ladd
Ex-Fiji Pilot Does Big Job in NZ
CAPTAIN “Freddie” Ladd is becoming as well known in New Zealand as he formerly was in Fiji, where, as a RNZAF pilot and later chief pilot of Fiji Airways, he did a great deal of flying in post-war years.
Scarcely a week goes by when there is not a call from one of the Hauraki Bay islands, or from inaccessible coastal homestead, for the Grumman Widgeon amphibious aircraft of Tourist Air Travel to speed to someone’s aid.
Recently an intending member of a week-end yachting party arrived at the wharf after the yacht had sailed. Within minutes he had chartered the Widgeon, and minutes later, but miles away, Ladd was landing him safely alongside the yacht—to the astonishment of all aboard.
Early in July a man was pinned under a falling blue gum tree at the height of a storm on the Coromandel Peninsula. Word reached Auckland Hospital, and the hospital was on to Ladd by radio within minutes. The Widgeon was at the time out on a charter-flight to Great Barrier Island.
Diverting to the scene of the accident the sea was found to be far too rough for a landing, and there was no airstrip in the vicinity.
However, a return flight was made in the afternoon and after a very tricky landing the patient was successfully transferred from a
small boat and the aircraft was and on its way back to Auckla Aucklanders are beginning wonder how these people manai before the Widgeon arrived on scene, so often is it called on special missions.
Interesting too is the fact t
aircraft formerly belonged iegie Aerlenne Interinsulaire, of *ete. Damaged by fire a couple ears ago, It was eventually sold AT, shipped down to Auckland, completely reconditioned.