LOW-FLYING 'PLANE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 103, 4 May 1931, Page 9

LOW-FLYING 'PLANE.

CONCERN AT MANGERE. AERO CLUB'S INQUIRIES. STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT. Concern was felt in Mangere East yesterday afternoon when one of the Auckland Aero Club's machines was seen flying low round the residential area. The pilot, according to an eye-witness, made three or four circles and then flew off toward Papatoetoe, returing with the engine silent and swooping down on Mr. W. W. Massey's farm, as if he were going to land. Residents of Mangere East, ever since the fatal flying accident at the end of last year, have become alarmed when a machine has been seen which has appeared to be flying low or to have its engine silent.

The machine that caused the concern yesterday was the Aero Club's red Moth, Z.K.A.A.L., and the matter is being investigated by the club. Questioned this morning, Mr. Spencer R. Mason, president of the club, said there was nothing to stop pilots from flying low, providing they were away from houses. In the Mangere East district there were plenty of fields where 'planes could land, and he did not think there was any risk to persons or property. The Auckland Aero Club had a rule that members must climb to 2500 feet on the city side of Tamaki, but the Government regulation, he said, read that pilots must not fly over a populated area under a height which would enable them to glide outside that area in the event of the engine failing. The Auckland Aero Club, added Mr. Mason, considered that 2500 feet was a sufficient height for that purpose. Mr. Mason also explained that sometimes pilots practised dummy landings. They did no.t actually land, but came down in such a way that they visualised themselves making a landing.