Richard William Pearse spent much of his lifetime building light, powerful aero-engines and constructing aircraft for his numerous attempts at powered flight.  His most spectacular flights were those made after the turn of the century using a horizontally opposed, twin-cylinder engine fitted to a high-wing monoplane; both plane and engine were built by Pearse using materials available in the locality.

The last of his planes with its unusual engine is now on view at the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland, but only parts of two of his earlier engines remain; these were recovered from a rubbish dump after being buried and lost for many years.

A considerable amount of research has been undertaken during the past ten years to ascertain the size and shape of the first aircraft, and it has now been possible to construct a plane which we believe closely resembles that used by Pearse during the years 1902-3, when he made many hops and short flights.  This replica is on view at the Transport Museum and was also used to make a television dramatised documentary film which has been screened in New Zealand.

A question often asked is: "Did this man, a farmer's son with no technical training and with severely limited facilities and funds, really succeed where so many others had failed?" The proof can be seen in the advanced design of his engines and aircraft, which had many original features not then found elsewhere; and although many of his ideas were never developed to their full extent nevertheless his engine produced more than adequate power for the purpose of getting his plane airborne.