Ten years later Captain J.C. Mercer, who ran a regular airborne mail, goods and passenger service on the coast, was so entranced by the glorious overviews of the ice and snow that he took aerial photos and set off on a promotional crusade throughout New Zealand and overseas to sell his scenic flights. For some American tourists their first ever plane flight was over the Southern Alps with Captain Mercer. Then on 22 September 1955, Harry Wigley landed on the Tasman Glacier. A year later the first landing was made on the world over have come to experience the thrill of flying high amongst the massive peaks and landing on the moving ice. When in the late 1970s the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers retreated beyond the road, making it difficult to experience walking on the ice, the Parks Board of the day approved the excitement of helicopter flyovers and landings on the glaciers.
Many trips now offer landing and guided walks on safer sections of the ice.
Scenic Flights For most visitors a scenic flight is the only way they will get to see and experience the alpine grandeur of the Park. Flights are offered in both ski planes and helicopters. This passive form of recreation allows visitors to the Park to land on a glacier and touch snow at any time of the year. Air access is increasingly used by time-strapped climbers to access high mountain huts, when the weather is suitable, and complete a climb in a weekend. Our aim is to fly our customers safely to the most spectacular alpine regions of New Zealand.