Skip to content

George Bolt - Pioneer Aviator (Wellington) Multi-Cache

Hidden : 2/11/2010
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:


George Bolt was an outstanding figure in the development of commercial aviation in this country. He achieved a number of aviation firsts, taking New Zealand's first aerial photographs in 1912 and delivering its first official airmail in 1919. He later served with the RNZAF during the Second World War.

Today, tens of thousands of people driving to and from Auckland International Airport travel along George Bolt Memorial Drive.

Bolt's flying career began in the South Island in 1911. Aged just 18, he launched a glider that he had designed and built himself from the Cashmere Hills above Christchurch. In 1916 he began work as an apprentice mechanic at the Walsh brothers' New Zealand Flying School in Auckland. By 1919 he was the school’s chief pilot. He achieved a number of early aviation milestones, including long-distance and altitude records.

Bolt made his first experimental airmail flight from Auckland to Dargaville in 1919. The following year he completed further mail flights to Thames and Whangarei, before joining forces with the Walsh brothers to begin a regular airmail service from Auckland to Whangarei in 1921. The service proved uneconomic, though, and was soon discontinued.

In late 1923 the New Zealand Flying School ceased operations. Bolt now turned his attention to military aviation, becoming an instructor at refresher courses for ex-service pilots. These pilots were to form the nucleus of the New Zealand Air Force (Territorial).
During the 1930s Bolt worked for a number of commercial airlines. During this time he became the chief pilot for Cook Strait Airways. When the Second World War broke out the company's aircraft were requisitioned for air training. Bolt was appointed chief engineer at the Royal New Zealand Air Force's Ohakea station. He then became chief engineer at the RNZAF repair and assembly facility at Hobsonville, attaining the rank of wing commander in 1943.

In 1944 Bolt was appointed chief engineer of Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL), the forerunner of Air New Zealand. He remained with TEAL until his retirement in 1960.

The given Coordinates will take you a bronze plaque, from the plaque answer the following questions to take you to the final location

S41º 19.ABC

E174º 48.DEF

A = Third digit of year of first flight Auckland to Wellington
B = Last digit of last year he was instructor/engineer at Wellington Aero Club
C = Third digit of the year he died

Sum check = 13

D= Third digit of the year he became chief pilot for Cook Strait Airways
E = A+B
F = Number of letters in second word on 4th line of Plaque

Sum check = 13

Please NOTE that you must sign the logbook for each individual cacher, Finds logged not corrosponding with the logbook may be deleted. Cache contians log sheet only, please bring your own pen.

Pleased take some time before leaving to ensure that the cache is re hidden exactly as you found it.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Guvax nobhg vg

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)