AIR-MINDED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 229, 26 September 1936, Page 9

AIR-MINDED.

DOMINION YOUTHS. i EAGER TO QUALIFY. SHORTAGE OF AEROPLANES CLUB ACTIVITIES HAMPERED. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) NEW PLYMOUTH, this day. The astonishing recent growth of interest in air activities in Xew Zealand has led to an acute shortage of aeroplanes to meet tlie demand, according to ZNIr. S. E. Xielson, secretary of the Xew Zealand Aero Club. Mr. Xielson emphasises the fact that something will have to be done to increase tlie number of machines in the Dominion. "Never in the history of the aero club movement in Xew Zealand has there been such a large number of pupils offering, nor such keenness to continue flying among pilots who have gained their tickets," he said, and added, "It is unfortunate that the Government has not been able to supply the clubs on loan with any new machines for morg than two years. There would have been a pronounced shortage in any case, under ordinary conditions, but with the great swing to aviation now evident and the large number of young pupils offering the shortage of machines is heavily accentuated. Waiting Lists of Pupils. "Thus the clubs cannot take advantage of this live interest to the fullest extent. There are waiting lists of pupils in every club in Xew Zealand, and these applicants include the best type of youth in the country, all of military age. It is a great pity the shortage of machines

prevents them starting their courses of instruction as early as they would wish. The clubs are hoping that at the conclusion of the present air conference in Wellington the Government will be in a position to define its policy and assist the clubs to take advantage of the fine material offering for the training of first-class pilots." Recent Experience. To illustrate his statements, Mr. Xielson pointed out that last Sunday, when the New Plymouth Aero Club had two machines flying, commencing at nine o'clock in the morning, and going until dark, a number of those seeking flights had to be refused. During the day the pilot instructor handled 19 pupils. It was the first time for many months that the Western Federation had had four machines in the air, yet it was impossible to cater for the whole of the keen demand. The difficulty is not only j being experienced in New Plymouth, but I is stated by Mr. Xielson to be a common I causa of complaint with every aero club. |