Charles Kingsford Smith

Sir Charles Edward Kingsford Smith (February 9, 1897 - November, 1935), often called Charles Kingsford-Smith, or by his nickname Smithy, was the best-known early Australian aviator. He completed the first non-stop crossing of the Australian mainland and the first flight from Australia to New Zealand, and was also the first to complete the more difficult eastward Pacific crossing from Australia to the United States, in 1934.

Kingsford Smith was born in Brisbane, Queensland, and was one of seven children. He went to St Andrew's Cathedral School in Sydney before studying electrical engineering at Sydney Technical College (now known as Sydney Technical High School). At 16 he became an engineering apprentice with the Colonial Sugar Refining Company. After that, he enlisted for duty in the armed services in 1915 and served at Gallipoli. Initially, he performed duty as a motorcycle despatch rider, before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps, earning his wings in 1917. For his services in battle, he was awarded the Military Cross.

In 1928, he and his crew completed the first Trans-Pacific flight in the Southern Cross, a Fokker FVII-3M monoplane. The flight was in three stages, from Oakland, California to Hawaii, then to Suva, Fiji, and on to Brisbane. On arrival, he was met by a huge crowd at Eagle Farm airport, and was feted as a hero.

In 1930, he competed in an England to Australia air race, and, flying solo, won the event.

It was during another epic flight that Kingsford Smith met his end. Once again flying from England to Australia, he and his copilot departed Allahabad, India for a leg to Singapore, flying in Lockheed Altair Lady Southern Cross. The aircraft did not arrive at its destination. Eighteen months later, wreckage from the aircraft was located off the south coast of Burma. The remains of the crew have never been located.

The major airport of Sydney, located in the suburb of Mascot was named Kingsford Smith International Airport in his honour. His aircraft, the Southern Cross, is preserved and displayed in a purpose built memorial at Brisbane International Airport. Kingsford Smith Drive in Brisbane passes through the suburb of his birth, Hamilton.