The vast Northern Territory itself was the last place authorities envisaged air services. For decades, no operator was able to service the vast outback cost effectively. That is, until John Tilley arrived. This is the story of Tillair and the extraordinary pilots and support staff who went the extra mile to provide one of the outback's most necessary services. In less than ten years this business grew to a fleet of 45 aircraft employing 120 staff: 55 pilots and 65 ground staff. For a time it was the southern hemisphere's largest privately owned airline. Many of the tales in the pages ahead have been so often told and retold over a beer or three that the specific details of who was involved in which incidents have reshaped themselves over time. But logbooks (seldom) lie, and it seems even young pilots retain this written evidence. Tillair was indeed an extraordinary training ground.Following his first wife's tragic death at 25, Tillery spent time learning to fly with an air club in Port Pirie. He took lessons and gained a restricted licence. Not long after he graduated, John's flying career came to an abrupt halt. He succeeded in not only writing off the small airplane, but breaking his ankles and collarbone. He refused to ever fly a plane again. This book details the extrraordinary business built up to service outback Australia through the 1970s and 1980s
The vast Northern Territory itself was the last place authorities envisaged air services. For decades, no operator was able to service the vast outback cost effectively. That is, until John Tilley arrived. This is the story of Tillair and the extraordinary pilots and support staff who went the extra mile to provide one of the outback's most necessary services. In less than ten years this business grew to a fleet of 45 aircraft employing 120 staff: 55 pilots and 65 ground staff. For a time it was the southern hemisphere's largest privately owned airline. Many of the tales in the pages ahead have been so often told and retold over a beer or three that the specific details of who was involved in which incidents have reshaped themselves over time. But logbooks (seldom) lie, and it seems even young pilots retain this written evidence. Tillair was indeed an extraordinary training ground.Following his first wife's tragic death at 25, Tillery spent time learning to fly with an air club in Port Pirie. He took lessons and gained a restricted licence. Not long after he graduated, John's flying career came to an abrupt halt. He succeeded in not only writing off the small airplane, but breaking his ankles and collarbone. He refused to ever fly a plane again. This book details the extrraordinary business built up to service outback Australia through the 1970s and 1980s
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