FINE ATTRACTION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 166, 28 April 1947, Page 4

FINE ATTRACTION

PASSENGER PLANE AND AEROBATICS MID-CANTERBURY BRANCH OF AERO CLUB The operation of a five-seater twin-engined Dragonfly aircraft from Ashburton airport and a display of aerobatics is an extra at- “ tration planned by the Mid-Can-terbury branch of the Aero Club for next Sunday. The presence of the five-seater plane should provide adequate opportunities for passenger flights. Fog over HareA\ T ood airport, Avhich delayed the departure of two Tiger Moths for Ashburton, limited flying here on Saturday. The aircraft, flown by Mr C. Fantham (assistant instructor to the Canterbury Club) and a trainee-pilot of the Canterbury Club, did not get aAvay from HareAVOod until about 11.30 a.m. They arrived in Ashburton about noon. Again because fog had descended on Harewood, it Avas not possible for the tAvo planes to be floAvn back to Christchurch in the late afternoon, so they were housed in the hangars at the Ashburton airfield, and the two pilots returned to Christchurch by train. As the planes were required for an air pageant yesterday, they were flown back to Christchurch yesterday morning by Mr N. IT. Scott and FlightLieutenant J. F. Conyers Brown, members of the Ashburton branch. It is hoped that these aircraft will be in Ashburton again next Saturday as Avell as on Sunday, when the passenger plane Avill be here. Membership of the club locally has now reached a total of 32 A hulk underground petrol storage tank has been installed for the club’s use, and Avill come into operation as soon as a portable pump is available.