AERO CLUB.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20448, 19 January 1932, Page 12

AERO CLUB.

"LEARN TO FLY" WEEK. OPENING OF AIRCRAFT EXHIBITION. Coinciding with the 7oth birthday of Sir Henry Wigram, the patron of aviation in New Zealand since its earliest years, the "Learn to Fly" Week, organised by the Canterbury Aero Club began yesterday. The occasion was marked by the opening of an aviation exhibition, at the Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative Association's building in Cashel street, the ceremony being performed by Lady Wigram. There was a large attendance of guests and visitors, who inspected the various flying exhibits with apparent interest. Mr William Machin, manager of the Farmers' Co-operative Association, introduced Lady Wigram and Sir Francis Boys, president of the Canterbury Aero Club, who also spoke. Mr Machin said the organisers had been extremely fortunate 'in unwittingly arranging the opening day of the exhibition for Sir Henry Wigram's birthday. Sir Henry was well-known for the generous gifts' ho had made to further the advance of aviation in the Dominion. Mr Machin asked Lady Wigram to convey the congratulations of the organisers to (Sir Henry. Pilot Instructor Machine.

They had been very lucky to obtain the wonderful pilot instructor machine from the Vacuum Oil Company, he said. It would be very useful in demonstrating to visitors the risks that airmen run, and the scholarship of £SO for the most, successful competitor would enable him to take a course in flying at the Wigram Aerodrome. The exhibition would be valuable in interesting young people in flying, and would bo open for the whole week. Sir Francis Boys, on behalf of the New Zealand and the Canterbury Aero Clubs, asked Lady Wigram to convey their very best wishes to Sir Henry. Ho also said that great credit was due to Mr Machin and the organisers of the exhibition for their enterprise. He was sure that the display would be rewarded with every success. Flying in New Zealand. "The New Zealand Aero Club is an association of all similar clubs iu the Dominion," said Sir Francis, in explaining the progress made by flying during recent years. "It was instituted about a year ago, and secured affiliation with the Royal Aero Club in Great Britain.. The Canterbury Aero Club started less than three years ago with one machine only. Now the club has control of four aeroplanes, two of them belonging to the Government. It is growing gradually, and there is every hope that it will continue to grow for many years to come. "Fifty-four qualified pilots have received their training through the Canterbury Aero Club," continued Sir Francis, "and about six have secured permanent positions at Home. There are about about fifteen pupils being trained at the present time. The club has also been popular as a means of providing flights for visitors. The club's flying time averages 1200 hours a year, and the d'stance flown by club machines eloselv approaches 100,000 miles a year.

Progress of Aviation. "There has been remarkable progress ' of late in aviation in the British Empire. are 110 light aeroplane clubs'throughout the Empire, of which Now Zealand is responsible for ten. There are no figures available as to I lie total number of pilots, but it is an indication of the times that no tower than 112 women arc at present holding licenses, five of whom are entitled .to fly as ccMinercial pilots for hire or reward. Some people say that it is a pily iiisii cannot fly like birds; but we can --and better." No bird can fly at tie :;pecd of 408 miles an hour, a speed which has been attained in M:o Schneider Cup contest?. This speed is more easily realised if wo say that \t would take only Si minutes to fly to Ashburton, or iefs than an hour from Giuistchurch to Invercargill. No bud can reach the height of 41.705 fec-fc, r.nd vet that altitude has been attained bv a' German pilot using a British machine. The height is about equivalent to the summit of Mount Cook if that mountain were placed on top of Mount Everest. No bird, again, can fly blindly. A great deal of interest is being taken in blind flying of late, especially at Home. Instruments enable the pilot to fly safely in fog, mist, and other dense atmospheric conditions. Even in the tests their efficacy, is proved by placing a thick screen right over the test machine, making it impossible for the pilot to see around bim.

Reasons for Danger. "The only dangers connected witlx flying are due to over-confidence, lack of care and inadequacy of training," concluded Sir Francis. "The danger from structural failure of any kind in tbo modern machine constitutes only a very small fraction of the flying mishaps. This exhibition is another step towards popularising aviation, and I -wish it every success. Visitors will also Le welcome at AVigram Aerodrome." Lady Wigram, in officially declaring the exhibition open, thanked Sir Henry's well-wishers for their remarks. "It is difficult for us to realise to-day," siio continued, "the wonderful trials and struggles which confronted the pioneers of aviation. It is sufficient to compare the tiny machines of the early days with the modern types of aeroplanes. I still feel a thrill when I think of my -first flight, made in a small type of machine. I had watched Sir Henry circling round !the aerodrome at an altitude of "00 Ifeet and was quite relieved when 1 saw him land safely. I was able to attain a height of 400 feet, owing to my ligr.t:ness. We were not afraid in those days because we did not realise the risks. There is much to look back upon in flying, but we must look forward to the tremendous future which lies before it." Aeroplane Competition.

During the afternoon Mr Machin presented prizes to Tom Welsh and G. T. Blackburn for their success in connexion with the model aeroplane competitions held at Hagley Park in the inorning. There was a large crowd at the P.iilc to watch the demonstrations and competitions, and some of the models were remarkable for their, similarity to the real machines, and their flying capabilities. The contests were sponsored by the management of the Majestic Theatre, which is screening a picture called "The Flying Fool" in connexion with "Learn to Fly" week. The prizes were awarded for the longest duration in flight and for the best constructed aeroplanes. The judges were Mr J. C. Mercer, instructor to the Canterbury Aero . Ciuli, Mr H. C. Martin, an expert in model aircraft construction, and Mr Beau Shiel, New Zealand aviation officer for the Vacuum Oil Company. There were about 20 enti-ies and, in spite of the unfavourable nature of the wind, some flne performances were put up. The good workmanship of some of the models, displayed in their construction, also drew praise from the judges. In the duration contest Tom Welsh