Sydney Airport marks anniversary of its first flight
Celebrations have taken place at Sydney Airport to mark the 100th anniversary of the first flight made from the location that has now become the major transport hub.
New Zealander Captain Joseph Joel Hammond flew a Bristol box-kite biplane for less than ten minutes on April 18th 1911, reaching heights of 40 metres.
When Captain Hammond embarked on his epic ten-kilometre voyage, the area from which he took off was Ascot Racecourse. It now forms part of the east-west runway at Sydney Airport.
A plaque marking the achievement has been unveiled by airport chief executive Russell Balding.
In a statement, Mr Balding said: "Captain Hammond was one of the early pioneers of aviation. His flights attracted great public interest, with thousands of Sydneysiders buying tickets to witness the spectacle."
An average of 103,000 passengers used the airport every day in the final three months of 2010.
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