"Grandfather Of Aerial Applications"

Oswald "Ossie" James was considered an aviation and agriculture legend in New Zealand. He passed away Thursday, at age 87.

James was considered a founding father of New Zealand rural aviation, leading to the development of a thriving aviation hub around Hamilton airport, reported Fairfax Media.

An apprentice motor mechanic from 1935 to 1939, James served as a fighter plane technician during World War II.

He earned his pilot's license and bought his first airplane, a Tiger Moth, in 1947. Two years later he founded James Aviation.

Starting with only the single Tiger Moth biplane, he expanded James Aviation until the company was flying 85 planes across the country. He also bought Australian businesses, expanding operations across the Tasman.

In 1955, James converted a DC-3 so it could be used for top-dressing, and introduced the first helicopter into agricultural aviation.

Aerial topdressing is the spreading of fertilizer over farmland with the use of aircraft. Aerial topdressing was developed in New Zealand in the 1940s and was rapidly adopted elsewhere in the 1950s.

Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton called James' contribution to farming and aviation magnificent.

"He was one of those iconic New Zealanders . . . his enthusiasm was legendary."

Aviation Industry Association's John Funnell called James as the "grandfather of aerial applications," who was held in the highest regard in the industry.

In his New Zealand workshops, James built 80 two-seater training planes, 100 military trainers, and 265 Fletcher airplanes for buyers both inside and outside of New Zealand.

Additionally, James was known for promoting aviation careers for young people. At Hamilton's St. Paul's Collegiate, he obtained a kitset Murphy Maverick ultralight airplane, rounded up a team of retired engineers and, during a year-long period, took students through the entire airplane process, from unpacking parts to flying the finished product.

Most recently James was co-founder of Fieldays, the largest agricultural trade show in the Southern Hemisphere

Said Fieldays General Manager Barry Quayle, James' work in top-dressing changed the way New Zealand farmed its land.

He said James always had "a driving passion" for whatever project he was involved with.

"Everything that I saw him do, he went about it with great gusto. He had an energy well beyond his years. He was a true pioneer right until the end."

Doug McElwain knew James for more than 60 years as a friend and as a competitor - he worked for rival Hamilton air firm Robertson Air Services.

"He was larger than life in many ways and he was a loyal, hard-working man. If there was ever an obstacle in his way, he'd find a way to move it."

McElwain is planning a fly-by of Fletcher planes for James' funeral.

Daughter Alison Sinclair said her father "never stopped dreaming and scheming."

"He always looked on things positively and in a lot of ways, he was ahead of his time."

James was the recipient of many honors, including being made an Officer of the British Empire in 1968 and a being named a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2004 for his services to aviation and the community. He was also a life member of the Waikato Aero Club.

When he retired in 1984, he was the managing director and chairman of James Aviation and 23 other associated companies in New Zealand and Australia.

FMI: www.fieldays.co.nz