Saturday 12 September 2015

Keith's last ride.

Keith Finlaison Sutherland
1 January 1927 - 9 September 2015
A memorial service was held today in the "Black Hangar" at Rangiora for Keith.
Farmer and aviator.
I first recall Keith in an Auster - ZK-BCQ comes to mind - must have been about 1964.
He was part of Greenstone Station on the other side of Lake Wakatipu. 
Later he was at McDonald Downs in from Amberley before going back to Greenstone.
He purchased the Piper PA-18A-150 ZK-COG in October of 1971 but had to send it down to Southair for a rebuild in 1982.
He also learned to fly helicopters and invested in the Hughes 269C ZK-HFM. 
The Cub went to Rowley Aviation in 1984 and has been with the Evans family since 1993.
It was parked outside the hangar during today's service.
Following the service Keith went for his last ride in the Aerospatiale AS 350BA ZK-HKW4.

2 comments:

  1. I didn.t know the gentleman .but great to see he had a great send off .Blue skies Keith .

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  2. Thankyou so much for your kind comment " anon " Yes, it was a very special send off for Dad who was quite an intrepid pilot who absolutely loved his flying days.Blue skies indeed...your words bring a tear to my eye.

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