Schaef's pioneering flight

Arthur Schaef was a professional photographer with a keen interest in aviation. In 1909 and 1910 he took out some patents for an aeroplane design, and built an aeroplane. Percy Fisher, an engineer, helped design the engine. The machine had a public debut at Hutt Park in August 1910 but it was too windy to attempt flying. Branded along its side were the words 'Schaef's New Zealand Vogel.'

After some design tweaks, the plane was tested at Lyall Bay In March 1911. The plane was pushed through the sandhills and on to Lyall Bay beach. Schaef drove the plane up and down the bumpy beach, then:

"From the distance one heard the motor rasping, and as the machine rushed over the ground one could see distinctly ere yet the engine was warmed up that the wheels were "floating"— touching and leaving the sand. When about fifty yards away Schaef lifted the flier with his tail plane, and with a graceful coordinate movement the main planes thrust upward, and the monoplane was afloat, about fifteen feet in the air."
(Otago Witness 15 Mar 1911)

After the first flight, measured at 156 ft, Schaef climbed out of his seat, wiped oil from his eyes and said to the spectators "What did I tell you? I knew she would do it!"

The machine was then displayed at Adams' store in Manners St where, for six pence, viewers could inspect it, see the engine running and listen to a lecture on aviation. In April Schaef took the plane to be exhibited in Christchurch. In 1912 Schaef built a second plane, experimenting at Evans Bay with hydrofoils. The aeroplane was destroyed in a fire and Schaef returned to his photography.