Arthur H Affleck

Arthur Affleck joined the Civil Aviation Branch of the Defence Department in 1936 as a Flying Inspector. In 1941 he was sent to Port Moresby to organise the evacuation of women and children in the face of the Japanese advance and was later seconded to the RAAF. Post war, he played an important part in, and contributed much to, the safe development of the Australian civil aviation industry.

In 1963, at the age of 60, he retired from the position of Regional Director of Civil Aviation for Papua New Guinea.

(Photo: CAHS collection)

Arthur H Affleck (1903- )
	Arthur Affleck was born in Melbourne in 1903 and educated at Wesley College, in that city. At the age of 17 he joined the staff of the National Bank of Australiasia but, after two years' service, enlisted as a clerk in the Royal Australian Air Force. Six months later he was selected as one of three Civil Aviation Cadets from hundreds of applicants throughout Australia, was trained to Air Force 'Wings' and Commercial Pilot Licence standard. Given a discharge from the RAAF, Affleck commenced work as a commercial pilot with Jimmy Larkin's Australian Aerial Services Ltd. to operate the Melbourne-Hay route. Following a dispute with Larkin over the airworthiness of the A.N.E.C. III, Arthur Affleck obtained a job with Q.A.N.T.A.S in April 1927. He was the original pilot of the Flying Doctor service, based in Cloncurry, and later flew in New Guinea and Western Australia.
Arthur Affleck joined the Civil Aviation Branch of the Defence Department in 1936 as a Flying Inspector. In 1941 he was sent to Port Moresby to organise the evacuation of women and children in the face of the Japanese advance and was later seconded to the RAAF. Post war, he played an important part in, and contributed much to, the safe development of the Australian civil aviation industry. In 1963, at the age of 60, he retired from the position of Regional Director of Civil Aviation for Papua New Guinea. (Photo: CAHS collection)
	Arthur Affleck's autobiography The Wandering Years was published by Longmans, Green and Co. in 1964. Back to the main Departmental People index If this page appears without a menu bar at top and left, click here