TAA Growing Outback Routes - 1949
TAA purchased routes from Adelaide to Darwin from Guinea Airways. These went, via Mt Elba, Oodnadatta, Cooper Pedy, Alice Springs, Katherine, then to Darwin, and were serviced by using the DC3 aircraft removed from the major trunk routes.
It was only then that the airline started to become National, as it was then linking North with South and East with West, and now it was expanding again, but this time through the centre of Australia, and the real outback country.
Many of these routes to the outback only operated weekly, or sometimes twice weekly..
The DC3 adapted well to this chore as it could land on unmade level surfaces, grass, gravel or just plain dirt, and with a regular schedule, the TAA brand became a familiar visitor.
These were not daily services and so handling agents were contracted to provide ground handling and catering, who would be contacted regarding passengers traveling, aircraft departure times, and any additional items that may be required or requested to be supplied to the aircraft. Communication was by radio or if installed, telephone or teletype, using ground lines where they existed, or pedal radio where they did not.