Cecil Arthur Butler | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 8 June 1902  |
| Died | 13 April 1980 (aged 77) |
| Occupation | Aircraft pilot |
| Awards | |
Cecil Arthur Butler (1902 - 1980)[1] was an Australian businessman who established Butler Air Transport Co.
Buttler was born in Warwickshire, England, and migrated to Australia with his family in about 1910.[1] In 1917 he was apprenticed to become a tool, jig and gauge maker at the Lithgow Small Arms Factory. In 1921 he transferred to the Australian Aircraft & Engineering Co. Ltd at Mascot, Sydney. In 1923 he obtained his ground engineer's licence,[1] in 1927, his pilot's licence.[1]
In 1930 he designed, built and tested a small, all-metal, high-winged monoplane.[1][2] In 1931, he piloted a Comper Swift from England to Australia in the record time of 9 days, 1 hours and 40 minutes.[3] In 1934 with the financial help of his wife's uncle, P. S. Garling,[4] he won the tender for the Charleville (Queensland) to Cootamundra (New South Wales) leg of the England-Australia airmail route, servicing the route with DH.84 Dragon aircraft.[1] Four years later, with the successful completion of the contract, his company, Butler Air Transport Co. continued as a civil airline, serving centres in New South Wales and Queensland.[1] The airline later became Airlines of New South Wales.[5]
In 1958 he became an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)[5]
