CIVIL AVIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 292, 10 December 1929, Page 10

CIVIL AVIATION.

. DEVELOPMENT IN HAWERA. COMMANDER DALTON'S ADVICE. ENLARGEMENT OF HANGAR. ; (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HAWERA, this day. "I would pass the grounds for instructional ' purposes any time," said •Wing-Commander Grant Dalton, Director New Zealand Permanent Air Force and of Civil Aviation, when inspecting the Hawera Aero Club's grounds yesterday. He said he considered the site ideal, with safe country around and good runways. The club was fortunate in having to incur little expense for tree felling, and clearing the ground. . Hawera's claim to have the club declared the central authority for training in Taraiiaki was stressed by Mr. H. G. Dickie, M.P. From the geographical point of view, he. said, Hawera had everything in its favour as a training centre. Commander Dalton said so many clubs were springing up that it was impossible to subsidise all. • Probably Hawera, New Plymouth and Wanganui would have to join up together to obtain a, subsidy. Not more than six' clubs could be approved as official training centres. Auckland, Hastings, Marlborough and Christclnirch had already been appointed, and no further appointment would be made until . the club proved itself, The plans of- the club's proposed hangar met with Commander Dalton's approval.' Its present size f66 feet by 40 feet), was large enough for general requirements, he said, but the Avro commercial planes, which were to fly between Auckland and Wellington and Christclnirch, had a wing spread of 71 feet, and if accommodation were provided for • them it was possible they would call at Hawera. The hangar would offer, ample accommodation for the usual run of visiting planes. The club should proceed with .the erection of a hangar, and see how many pupils were available. It won I be necessary to have an instructor and a ground engineer before a training authority could be applied for.