About Sounds Air

Company Background

We have been operating for 23 years and have vast experience flying in and around the Marlborough Sounds, Cook Strait and Wellington. The company owners are Cliff Marchant, Steve Handyside and Andrew Crawford. Cliff lives on a remote farm property at Port Gore in the outer Marlborough Sounds. Cliff is a highly experienced pilot and has been flying for 40 years. As well as being a Director of Sounds Air, Cliff is a Boeing 747 Captain for Air New Zealand. Steve's other passion is cranes and his full time job is as a Director of New Zealand Crane Hire in Auckland. Andrew is Sounds Air's Managing Director and divides his time between Wellington, Nelson, Kaikoura, Blenheim and Picton.

The Fleet

Sounds Air operates five aircraft

 

Cessna Caravan

Sounds Air operates two Cessna Caravan's. ZK-PDM and ZK-SAA. The Caravan is a late model turbo prop aircraft. It holds 13 passengers and has the capacity to hold large items of luggage, e.g., skis, water ski and surfboards. The Caravan is world renowned as a safe reliable aircraft. It offers a fast and comfortable flight, with full size airline style seating, it is high winged for maximum visibility, and all seats have great views. The Cessna Caravan is operated by instrument flight rules; this means we are able to fly in all weathers.

Gippsland Aeronautics Airvan

The Airvan (ZK-KLC) is a seven seat aircraft. It is also high winged for maximum visibility and is fitted with large windows to ensure every passengers can enjoy the panoramic views available on all our sectors. It is equipped with the latest GPS navigation equipment to ensure passenger safety at all times.

Cessna Stationair & Cessna Skyhawk

These are six seat (ZK-ENT) and four seat (ZK-EKE) aircraft respectively. They are the ideal plane for flying passengers and loads into the smaller airstrips in the Marlborough Sounds and for scenic flights. Both are high winged for maximum visibility and all seats are window seats.

The Pilots

Our pilots are highly experienced. All our pilots have a minimum 1000 flying hours and are comprehensively trained in operating their aircraft in all weather conditions. It is their desire to make your flight as safe and enjoyable as possible.

Airline Category

Our CAA airline category is PART 125.

Sounds Air Travel & Tourism Ltd - Mission Statement

Strives to be the preferred supplier of inter-island air transportation between the North and South Islands of New Zealand

An ability to provide passengers with reliable, low-cost transportation

To create a positive team environment among staff that rewards the achievement of high standards and excellent performance

&

To ensure all passengers and freight customers are treated to a high quality service

Lastly, exhibits the highest levels of air and ground operation safety at all times.