MAJOR COWPER LEAVING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 268, 12 November 1929, Page 8

MAJOR COWPER LEAVING.

LOSS TO AUCKLAND AERO CLUB POSITION AT HAMILTON. Major G. A. C. Cowper, who has been chief pilot and Instructor to the Auckland Aero Club since its inception, has resigned his position and next week takes up a similar appointment with Hamilton Airways, Ltd. Major Cowper was one of those who realised the necessity of forming a light 'plane club in Auckland, and it was he who was largely responsible for the formation of the present Auckland Aero Club. Very popular with the public and members of the club, particularly pupil members, Major Cowper's departure will constitute a distinct loss to the . The clnt) has progressed remarkably since he took charge at Mangeie, and his resignation has caused considerable surprise among members. Major Cowper, who is . regarded as an excellent pilot and a fine Instructor, possesses a record of which any airman should be proud. An Englishman by birth, he took his wjngs on November 3, 1915, at Upavon, and was posted to No. 21 Squadron.' He was a flying officer with Wing Commander Grant-Dalton, the present Director of Air Services in New Zealand, in No. 14 Squadron. After serving with the 21st Squadron, Majoi Cowper went to Egypt, where he flew for a considerable period. Later he was sent to Mesopotamia and saw service with No. 30 Squadron during the war. His next post was an important one, commander of three squadrons, Nos.. 30, 34 and 43 at Fernhill Station, near Chester. Early in 1920, following a serious illness, Major Cowper went to Australia and for four years he was engaged in commercial flying in the Commonwealth. It was he who made the first flight across the desert wastes of Central Australia, from Adelaide to Birdsville, a distance of 1100 miles. This journey was completed in 1920 in a Sopwith machine with a rotary engine.

During his period of service with the Auckland Aero Club Major Cowper has carired out many important flights, wheil he has tauglit a large number of pupils to fly. By putting no less than 15 pupils through to get their "wings," he has created a record for the Dominion. The Blenheim Club follows with 13 members, Hawke's Bay with 10, while Christchurcli lias about eight new pilots from the pupil ranks. The fact that not one pupil member at Auckland has even damaged a machine while under instruction speaks well for Major Cowper',* qualities as an instructor.