In 1971, McKay completed its first airport project at Manapouri Airport, now known as Te Anau Airport (Manapouri), marking the beginning of the company’s long involvement in aviation infrastructure. The project was delivered while McKay maintained a substantial workforce in the South Island supporting the Aluminium Smelter project at Bluff, demonstrating McKay’s capacity to manage complex works across multiple locations concurrently.
At the time, Manapouri Airport was operational and privately owned by Mount Cook Airline. It served as an important regional aviation hub, functioning as a base following the completion of the major Manapouri Power Station construction project and as the home of the newly formed Fiordland Aero Club. The airport supported regular passenger and baggage handling operations for Mount Cook Airline’s HS748 and DC-3 aircraft, requiring reliable and safe airfield systems to maintain scheduled services.
McKay was engaged to upgrade the airfield’s visual approach guidance through the installation and commissioning of a new Red White Visual Approach Slope Indicator System (VASIS) on the existing runway. The scope of work included the laying of underground airfield lighting, control and power cables, undertaken with careful planning to avoid disruption to ongoing flight operations.
The project required the surveying, siting and construction of dedicated VASIS foundations, followed by the erection, testing and commissioning of the Red White VASIS units. High levels of accuracy were essential to ensure the system provided clear and reliable visual guidance to pilots, particularly given the region’s demanding weather and terrain.
In addition to the airfield installations, McKay designed, built, erected and commissioned a solid-state VASIS control system, including remote control units to allow effective operation and monitoring from airport facilities. As part of the project deliverables, McKay also prepared and submitted complete sets of computer-aided drawings for all installed plant and equipment, providing a comprehensive technical record for ongoing maintenance and future upgrades.
The successful completion of the Manapouri Airport project established McKay’s credentials in the aviation sector and laid the foundation for many subsequent airport projects throughout New Zealand and the Pacific, reinforcing the company’s capability in delivering specialist electrical and airfield systems.
