First plane lands on Wellcamp tarmac

DEVELOPER John Wagner has piloted the first plane to touch down on the freshly-laid asphalt at Wellcamp Airport.

Joe, Mary and John Wagner (right) touch down for the first time on the almost-completed tarmac of Wellcamp Airport in a Beechcraft King Air. . Picture: Contributed

DEVELOPER John Wagner has piloted the first plane to touch down on the freshly-laid asphalt at Wellcamp Airport, just weeks before Australia's newest runway is completed.

It was momentous occasion for his mother Mary, who was one of the lucky few passengers on the flight.

"I was feeling extremely proud of not only John, but all the boys (Neill, Denis and Joe), because I have always had faith they would be able to see their vision of building the airport come to fruition," said Mary, who has eight children, 30 grand children and two great-grandchildren.

After describing her son as a "little devil of a kid who was destined to be a leader", Mary said John was always keen on planes.

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"I can remember my brother Father Pat Doyle taking John to airports to watch planes land when he was a youngster," she said.

"So to see him at the controls of the plane, landing so smoothly on the runway, was just such a proud moment for me."

3D Flyover of Wellcamp Airport

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Originally published as First plane lands on Wellcamp tarmac