PNG
is definitely one of the most breathtaking tourist destinations from
all over the world. Located in the north of Australia, Papua New Guinea
represents a unique landscape with hundreds of wild offshore islands,
exotic flora and fauna specimens and the amazing primitive village
cultures. Contained entirely within the hot tropics and surrounded by
deep oceans, PNG?s clime is characterized by heavy rainfall seasons and
high temperatures all year round.
This
young and wild region is continuously changing, partly because PNG has
numerous active volcanoes that mould the region with earth movements,
ash and hot lava, all along the eastern and western coasts. This is why
exploring this wonderful part of the world is possible mainly by air.
Traveling in Papua New Guinea by air can be an exciting experience, and
the PNG pilots are well- aware of this fact.
Fortunately, the future of PNG aviation is a bright one, as the rugged
terrain and the limited number of practicable roads will ensure
aviation is a key mean of transportation for many years to come. Papua
New Guinea's biological diversity of the flora and fauna can be
encountered as one travels from the coastal regions across lowland
flood plains of swamp, open grass and into the forested slopes and
mountains offer visitors a seemingly unending variety of scenery.
All
the recognized species of 'Birds of Paradise' are represented here and
a large number of other species of birdlife combined with the unique
marsupial, mammal, insect and marine life combine to make PNG a very
special place in the world of nature.
The
PNG aviation has a
long a rich history of great people that have devoted their lives to
the blue skies of Australia and PNG. In fact, many Australian and New
Zealand pilots have started their careers as PNG pilots, because this
is a region that operates a large number of small aircraft services.
DID
YOU KNOW THAT...?
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The first flying instructor in PNG was Barry Awui, in 1972, and Aria
Bouaga and Minson Peni were the first pilots that have obtained a
commercial pilot's licence.
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The first airline ever founded in PNG was Morelae Airlines, founded by
Ray Parker and P.J.McDonald.
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Famous Amelia Earhart is also a part of the PNG aviation history; it is
said that the last place she took off while going around the world
before disappearing without a trace was Lae. This is part of the reason
why the inaugural flight was performed by a Fokker F27 from Port
Moresby to Lae, after the ceremony at Jackson?s Airport on the 1st of
November 1973.
Some
of the airlines that operate in the PNG area are: Air Niugini, Islands
National air, TAL (Territory Airlines), Airlines of PNG (or the MBA),
Regional Air and Pacific Helicopters.
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AIR NIUGINI was founded back in 1973 and it was actually the National
Airline of PNG. Initially there were several founders of Air Niugini:
the local government had 60% of the shares, while the TAA, Quantas and
Ansett hold the rest of the shares. In 1976, the PNG government bought
out the holdings of TAA and Quantas, ending its takeover in 1981, when
it has become the major holder of Air Niugini.
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An Australian by birth, Sir Ronald Dennis Buchanan is one of the great
names of the PNG aviation; ever since he bought TAL in 1958 (the
company was founded back in 1952). The success of TALAIR was
rewarded in 1975, when Buchanan received an MBE (Member of the British
Empire award) for services to tourism. The airline company served up to
130 destinations on over 400 daily sectors, making Sir Dennis one of
the few pilots who made money from exercise.
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You can find out more about the PNG aviation history by reading the
'Balus' trilogy by Ian Sinclair, some of the best accounts of PNG's
aviation history.
PNG
flying can be one of the most rewarding and challenging adventure a
pilot can ever experience. It's true that eco-tourism and eco-travel is
an ever growing industry in Papua New Guinea, and numerous tourists are
yearly drawn by the exotic flavour of the region.
www.pngair.com
was created for tourists and residents as well!
It's
time for us to show the world the beauty of Papua New Guinea and learn
more about this exciting form of travel. You will have the opportunity
to check out stunning pictures of the natural landscape, find out more
about the local economy, taxes and tourism operators.
And
what could be easier than joining our PNG forum? You will find there
answers to all your questions related to flights, airline operators,
hot tourist destinations and lots and lots of great pictures!
Share
your experiences with other PNG fans right here on our PNG air forum!
