Who started Chartair
Chartair was started by Brian Smith, previously with Connellan Airlines. John Tilley started Tillair in Katherine. Both Tilley & Smithy got their AOC's on the same day in late 1977.
Smithy had Navajo's, C206's, C210's, Partenavia. He did the Ayers Rock scenics from the old strip (pre Yulara) & charter in the Alice.
Tilair grew large in Katherine and Tilley bought Chartair from Smithy in 82/83 from memory.
A couple of disgruntled Chartair pilots started Ayers Rock Air Service and went into competition with Tillair/Chartair at Yulara. Roger Leach was just another operator in Alice & Ayers Rock.
He subsequently bought all 3 operations by the mid 90's.