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From flying boats to jet planes, a Tauranga aviator
Doug Keesing (1917–2000) was born in Takapuna, Auckland, the son of Henry Keesing and Charlotte Grove. He developed an early interest in aviation and entered the Royal New Zealand Air Force at the outbreak of the Second World War. Trained in New Plymouth on Tiger Moths, two seater bi-planes , he became an instructor at the No. 4 Elementary Flying Training School in Hobsonville, from 1940. He later served with No. 3 General Reconnaissance Squadron, flying Vickers Vincent aircraft on coastal and anti-submarine patrols initially, and then Lockheed Hudsons. He completed operational service in New Caledonia, working alongside United States forces, and was appointed navigating officer. He later instructed at the RNZAF Navigation School in New Plymouth.
Restored photograph shared during an interview with Glenn Pettit in 1999, Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries AV 22-003/04
Following the war, Keesing joined Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL) in June 1943, after a recommendation by chief pilot Captain John Burgess. He was promoted to captain in 1945 and flew Empire flying boats before transitioning to Sandringham and Short Solent aircraft. He undertook long-distance delivery flights from the United Kingdom, including a Sandringham in 1947 and the Solent Aparima in 1951 via an improvised trans-Atlantic and Pacific route due to fuel restrictions. During the flying boat era he operated regular trans-Tasman services linking New Zealand and Australia.
Portrait from an unknown newspaper obituary
After flying boats he flew Douglas DC-6 aircraft and later Lockheed Electra turboprops. He played an important role in the introduction of jet operations to Air New Zealand by preparing operational specifications for the Douglas DC-8, factory test flights and delivery flights from the United States, including a non-stop Long Beach to Auckland sector. He later contributed to the selection of the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 fleet.
Restored photograph shared during an interview with Glenn Pettit in 1999, Te Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries AV 22-003/04
Keesing was appointed Operations Manager in 1969, at which point he ceased active flying with approximately 18,000 hours logged. He became Flight Operations Director in 1977 and retired from Air New Zealand in 1978. He was regarded as one of the last generation of New Zealand flying boat captains and a key figure in the transition from flying boats to jet airliners.
Doug Keesing married Robin; their children included Susan (married Danny Emuss) and Douglas (married Moirsheen). He died at Mount Maunganui on 30 March 2000, aged 82.
Still from an interview with between Captain D.W.S. Keesing and Glen Pettit in 2000.
