Southern DC3:

ZK-AMY is the only DC3 still flying in the South Island and one of only two left flying in New Zealand. The public of NZ are enjoying ZK-AMY as an icon of living history. Fly in her and relive for yourself the glory of travel in the golden age of flight. As one of the four pilots on the Trust Board, Dave Horsburgh says, “The Old Girl is not ready to retire - we’ll make her earn her keep for a long time yet”.

The DC3 is a legend around the world and nowhere more than in NZ. Since its first flight in 1935 the DC3 has continuously impressed with its reliability, safety and style, along with the ability to earn its way in a world of rapidly advancing technology.

ZK-AMY began life flying for the US Air Force in 1944, she flew Australia from top to bottom between 1947–1994 and most recently flew with Pionair and Vincent Aviation.

Yet, with just 18,000 hours logged against her airframe, she is literally the youngest airworthy DC3 in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Trust aims are to ensure that the airliner remains in New Zealand for all New Zealanders to enjoy and to educate the community about aviation, aviation professions and the importance of preserving our heritage for future generations to experience.  It provides an opportunity for members of the community to actively be involved in the restoration, preservation and flying of the DC3.  the Trust has over 60 volunteers associated with it and three part-time paid staff who also give many hours voluntarily for the benefit of the Trust.  ZK-AMY is operated to the exact high standards of any other airline operating in New Zealand.  We hold a Part 125 Civil Aviation Airline Operating Certificate that has been granted to us for 5 years which is no mean feat!  We also regularly donate flights to other charities and schools to assist  them with their fundraising efforts.

History of the DC3

1944 Built as C47A-Skytrain 42-92-93579 and delivered to the US Army Air Force (USSAF) on 9 June, 1944

1944 Assigned to the Pacific theatre of operations on 16th of June, 1944

1947 Went to the Australian Department of Civil Aviation (Melbourne), as VH-ASD, 20 March, 1947, in a survey role.

1950 It was registered VH-CAN on 9th of August, 1950, with the Australian Department of Civil Aviation.

1978 On 27th of October, 1978, it was sold to Paradak Ptv Ltd. of Melbourne and named 'Can-o-Bus'.

1978-1994 Changed ownership frequently and used throughout Australia on mostly chartered business.

1994 Registered as ZK-AMY by Vincent Aviation in Wellington, New Zealand

1998 Withdrawn from service and stored at Palmerston North, New Zealand

2001-2006 Christchurch's Pionair Adventures aquires the aircraft for charter work in 2001 and commences fundraising effort in 2006

 

2006 - Present The Southern DC3 Charitable Trust was established in 2006 to purchase the last DC3 in the South Island and rescue her from being sold offshore.  The Trust has gifted ZK-AMY to the Ashburton Aviation Museum in perpetuity to secure her long term future.  The Museum have fundraised over $1M, to build a new super hangar to host ZK-AMY when she isn't in Christchurch.  The Trust continues to fundraise to clear the remaining debt incurred purchasing the aircraft so that the gift to the Ashburton Museum is debt free.