Cecil Arthur Butler
English-born Australian aviator and airline owner
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cecil Arthur Butler (8 June 1902 – 13 April 1980),[1] commonly known as Arthur or C. Arthur Butler, was an Australian businessman who established Butler Air Transport Co.
Cecil Arthur Butler | |
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| Born | 8 June 1902  |
| Died | 1980 (aged 77–78) |
| Occupation | Aircraft pilot |
| Awards | |
Butler was born in Warwickshire, England, and migrated to Australia with his family in about 1910.[1] In 1917 he was apprenticed to become a tool, jig and gauge maker at the Lithgow Small Arms Factory. In 1921 he transferred to the Australian Aircraft & Engineering Co. Ltd at Mascot, Sydney. In 1923 he obtained his ground engineer's licence,[1] and in 1927 his pilot's licence.[1]
In 1930 he designed, built and tested a small, all-metal, high-winged monoplane.[1][2] In 1931, he piloted a Comper Swift from England to Australia in the record time of 9 days, 1 hour and 40 minutes.[3] In 1934 with the financial help of his wife's uncle, P. S. Garling,[4] he won the tender for the Charleville (Queensland) to Cootamundra (New South Wales) leg of the England-Australia airmail route, servicing the route with DH.84 Dragon aircraft.[1] Four years later, with the successful completion of the contract, his company, Butler Air Transport Co. continued as a civil airline, serving centres in New South Wales and Queensland.[1] The airline later became Airlines of New South Wales.[5]
Recognition
Gallery
Butler being congratulated by crowd at Lithgow, after his England-Australia record breaking flight
Butler and the Comper Swift, 1931
Cootamundra terminal
Sign at Cootamundra
Publications
- C. Arthur Butler, Flight : memoirs, 1912-1958, Wikidata Q108355035
- C. Arthur Butler (1971), Flying start : the history of the first five decades of civil aviation in Australia, Wikidata Q108354444
See also
Butler Air Transport for the story of the civil airline he founded and managed.