Mark Ricard spoke knowledgeably about civil aviation on the North Shore.
In the late 19th Century, kite flying was popular. John Hargreaves set a record hanging from a gliding box kite at Long Reef. WWI developed power flight. Tiger Moths used the Mascot grass strip for tourist flights that landed on a sandbar at Narrabeen.
WWII saw the emergency field at Belrose developed for military aircraft. Aviation really took off after the war with surplus aircraft, mainly Cessnas We had a Cessna surf patrol.
Aviation became more regulated in the 80s and 90s with the use of DC3s and Fokker Friendships.
Sea planes operate to Palm Beach as well as joy flights to Gosford from Rose Bay.
Frank Love
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