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 laying underground airfield lighting, control, and power cables, with careful planning required 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. A high level of accuracy were essential to ensure that 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 that allowed effective operation and monitoring from the 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 to deliver specialist electrical and airfield systems.
