Livingstone Airport
Livingstone Airport Terminal from the exterior belies the spaciousness of the concourse, lounges and restaurant within.
Livingstone's 1½ million pound Airport was opened in the grand manner on 12th August 1950.
VIP's gathered, no expense was spared, and aircraft representing every airline which expected to use the new Airport were on display. Connies, Hermes, Ambassadors and many others, all flew sedately past the Saluting Base whereon sat the V.I.P's. Last in line came the CAA Viking, and one sensed a s1ight1y patronising attitude - 'It's only the CAA Viking'-on the part of the representatives of the larger airlines. But Mike 0'Donovan was at the controls. He hurled the Viking at the Saluting Base, cut one motor directly in front of it, then proceeded to climb away practically standing the aircraft on its tail. Loud 'ee's' and 'ah's' from spectators greeted this performance whilst the effect on the dignified V.I.P. 's was comical to watch.
VIP's gathered, no expense was spared, and aircraft representing every airline which expected to use the new Airport were on display. Connies, Hermes, Ambassadors and many others, all flew sedately past the Saluting Base whereon sat the V.I.P's. Last in line came the CAA Viking, and one sensed a s1ight1y patronising attitude - 'It's only the CAA Viking'-on the part of the representatives of the larger airlines. But Mike 0'Donovan was at the controls. He hurled the Viking at the Saluting Base, cut one motor directly in front of it, then proceeded to climb away practically standing the aircraft on its tail. Loud 'ee's' and 'ah's' from spectators greeted this performance whilst the effect on the dignified V.I.P. 's was comical to watch.
From the date of that very interesting occasion until July 1956 when Salisbury's international airport was opened, Livingstone was the Aerial Gateway for the Federation.
Previous to 1950, CAA used an air strip which was situated near the present Falls Motel, and BOAC operated the famous Flying Boats from a base, still to be seen, on the Zambesi River.
Today, CAA has a staff of six at Livingstone: two Reservations Assistants two Traffic Assistants, a Traffic Officer and a Superintendent who covers both Traffic and Sales.
The Reservations staff comprise Mrs. May Beckerleg, who joined CAA in 1955, and Mrs. Joyce Pheiffer who has now been with CAA for a year. The Traffic Officer is Mr. John Bennett who joined CAA in 19 56 in Bulawayo, and was later transferred to Livingstone, and his two Traffic Assistants are Mrs. Celia Martyn, and Mrs. Joan Twells. Celia Martyn, who came to Northern Rhodesia in 1933, joined CAA in 1951 and has spent most of her time since then at Livingstone. Joan Twells came to CAA from East Africa in 1955, starting in Lusaka and being transferred to Livingstone in 1956. The Superintendent, Mr. Digby Kartle, arrived in the Federation in 19 57 'on spec' and was offered an appointment with CAA in Salisbury and was transferred to Livingstone in 1958.
The Reservations staff comprise Mrs. May Beckerleg, who joined CAA in 1955, and Mrs. Joyce Pheiffer who has now been with CAA for a year. The Traffic Officer is Mr. John Bennett who joined CAA in 19 56 in Bulawayo, and was later transferred to Livingstone, and his two Traffic Assistants are Mrs. Celia Martyn, and Mrs. Joan Twells. Celia Martyn, who came to Northern Rhodesia in 1933, joined CAA in 1951 and has spent most of her time since then at Livingstone. Joan Twells came to CAA from East Africa in 1955, starting in Lusaka and being transferred to Livingstone in 1956. The Superintendent, Mr. Digby Kartle, arrived in the Federation in 19 57 'on spec' and was offered an appointment with CAA in Salisbury and was transferred to Livingstone in 1958.
The curio sellers in Livingstone enjoy the ready market for their products among
tourists, aided and abetted by CAA staff.
tourists, aided and abetted by CAA staff.
This fine picture of the famous Victoria Falls is typical of the experienced by passengers and
shows the usual course taken by the Zambesi River after leaving the Falls
shows the usual course taken by the Zambesi River after leaving the Falls
Extracted and recompiled by Eddy Norris from the SCAANER magazine dated August 1959 which was made available by Dave Vermaak. Thanks Dave
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Ref. Rhodesian Aviation
Labels: CAA, Livingstone Airport
posted by Rhodesia Remembered @ 21:26
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