FORMATION FLYING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 264, 7 November 1932, Page 3

FORMATION FLYING.

CONTEST AT MANGERS. MR. KIEKUP'S TEAM SUCCESSFUL. The fifth contest for the Thorne trophy for formation flying was held by the Auckland Aero Club at the Mangere Aerodrome. The gusty wind made the conditions for pilots difficult. Mr. R. A. Kirkup's team, which included Mr. D. Wood and. Mr. J. H. Atwell, were the winners. Their performance was an excellent one, since they registered 830 points out of a possible 900. In the four previous contests for the trophy Mr. Kirkup's team has been placed second. Good flying was also done by Mrs. Philcox's team, including Messrs. G. M. Owen and A. McGruer, who scored 812 points and finished second.-

The judge, Wing-Commander K. L. Caldwell, made very favourable comment on the flying performances of the first and second teams. Over keenness was probably the reason for the failure of the other pilots to do well, their machines being flown too close together in several instances.

The team was required to take off in formation, close up to a uniform spacing, and then turn to the left, flying downward, turn to the right, flying up-wind abreast, turn to the left in single file, and then execute a left turn, finishing in V formation. There was a large attendance of visitors, and Flight-Lieutenant D. M. Allan gave an entertaining display of aerobatics. - _. ■ i.jifis