233rd Review Colours in the Sky- The History of Autair and Court Line Aviation- Graham M. Simons
The history of British Autair and Courtline Aviation is recorded in this book that gives us a thorough history outlay of its activities during the years of its existence. Autair was founded in 1953 and soon afterward the company started with helicopter support contracts in the Antartic and the Central Africa region.
Slowly but steady the company extends and several years the first commercial airline activities starts by obtaining a C-47 Dakota. When in 1965 the Court Line Group acquired Autair Int Airways the real growth started with involving the big commercial jets in its operations. However not without experiencing the usual blockades that every new airline meets during its growth.
In this very well documented book that richly is providing us with coloured and black and white photos, drawings, posters and plane diagrams the author has deeply researched all the historical events that happened during the companies existence. It is probably the most detailed book that I have read about one company in aviation. Interviews with managers and staff, stories of crews during their operations, staff changes, descriptions of planes that served the airline and many other relevant items that were part of Courtline’s history from 1953 until 1989 are also recorded in detail.
It is a book that must appeal to all the people that worked for Courtline or were involved in one way or other in its operations. Reading through the book there is sincere admiration for the enormous research of the author but also for the stamina that the different airline managers should have in order to keep such an organisation running. But as happened many times before political climate, international developments, plane occupancy rates and money problems can make life very difficult and in the end Courtline had to close its doors.
It is not a book that will excite you reading it with so many company details described but if you were ever involved in Autair’s and Courtline’s operational history or if you are interested in airline history, the book will provide you with a beautiful reference work of a high quality containing 318 pages with much information and art work.
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