WINGS OVER
WILD
“Sir Bob Bates contribution to Papua New Guinea reaches far beyond aviation. His vision, integrity and lifelong commitment helped connect communities, build opportunity and share our country with the world.”
Hon. James Marape, MP
Prime Minister of Papua New GuineaWings Over Wild
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Sir Bob Bates
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Wings Over Wild
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The Book
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Biography by Barry Payne
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Wings Over Wild - Sir Bob Bates - Wings Over Wild - The Book - Biography by Barry Payne -
Wings Over Wild tells the true story of Sir Bob Bates, a pioneer of skies and spirit, whose bold entrepreneurship and lifetime commitment helped open some of Papua New Guinea's most remote regions to the world.
Written by aviator Barry Payne, this is a measured and deeply respectful account of a life shaped by flight, endurance, and long service to country.
Drawing on first-hand experience and historical reflection, Wings Over Wild captures the quiet determination behind one man's contribution to a nation still finding its modern wings.
Wings Over Wild ships globally. We use a tracked NZ POST service, and country-specific rates are applied at check-out.
All prices are shown in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). As an estimate, $39 NZD = $22 USD / $17 GBP / $20 EURO / $33 AUD
Printed in New Zealand to the highest standards, this Premium Trade Paperback Edition features exceptional production quality and a beautifully finished gloss cover.
Global shipping rates are applied at checkout. $10 New Zealand, $30 Australia, $50 United States, $55 United Kingdom, $65 Rest of World
By Barry Payne
Wings Over Wild →
“For my good friend Bob Bates, a pioneer of skies and spirit, whose bold entrepreneurship and lifetime dedication opened the world to the wonders of Papua New Guinea.”
Barry PayneSir Bob Bates
Wings Over Wild tells the true story of Sir Bob Bates —
a pioneer of skies and spirit -
whose bold entrepreneurship and lifetime commitment helped open some of Papua New Guinea's most remote regions to the world.
From the post-war years onward, Bates played a central role in aviation, infrastructure, and tourism development across a country defined by rugged terrain and extraordinary cultural diversity.
Flying light aircraft into isolated mountain valleys and establishing operations in challenging environments, he helped create pathways into places few outsiders had ever reached.
Written by aviator Barry Payne, this is a measured and deeply respectful account of a life shaped by flight, endurance, and long service to country.
Drawing on first-hand experience and historical reflection, Wings Over Wild captures the quiet determination behind one man's contribution to a nation still finding its modern wings.
Wings Over Wild
About the Author →
Barry Payne is a pilot and writer based in Taupo, New Zealand. His multi-faceted career in aviation spans more than six decades, flying helicopters and airplanes including a number of years in Papua New Guinea. He is an adventure aviator and has twice completed record breaking round the world flights in his single-engine Piper Comanche. First in 2019 with his wife as crew, and then again during 2024 with his good friend Bob Bates, to whom the book is dedicated.
