A NEW SPORT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1074, 13 March 1911, Page 4

A NEW SPORT.

COMPETITIVE DESIGNS FOR A GEIDER. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Auckland, March 11. In connection with aviation tho sport of gliding is becoming very popular in Europe, and ~slop.. .towards,, tho introduction of the 'exhilarating pastime has been taken by the Aero Club of New Zealand, the headquarters of which are in Auckland. Recently the club invited competitive designs for a glider, to all intents and' purposes an aeroplane without an engine, attaining.flight by a grad'ual downward motion. The competition was confined to members of the club. Sixdosigns were sent in and the sub-corn-mitteo appointed to adjudge on their merits, Messrs. Leo AA 7 alsh, R. A. Dexter, and F. H. Hatfield, have awarded the prize to Mr. H. M'Kenzie, of Marton, with 95 points out of 100. Tho design of Mr. D. H. Murray, of Auckland (secretary of the Acre Club), gained second place with 86 points. Some of the designs submitted showed marked originality 'and feasibility, particularly tho winning one, an excellent feature of which was tho construction of tho vnder-carriage. Points were awarded for suitability, portability, cost, general construction and constructive details, simplicity, method of control, originality and weight. It is tho intention of the Aero Club to build, as soon as possible, a glider constructed on the lines of Mr. M'Kenzio's prize drawing, and a special fund is to bo inaugurated for tho purpose. No doubt the provision of facilities for gliding will tend to popularise the club, the membership"' of which is rapidly growing. It is possible to manipulate a glider for flights, of -100 yards or 500 yards, and to enjoy all the sensations of flying in tho process. In England and elsewhere aviators are using gliders for training purposes, and several private individuals, including boy enthusiasts, ore building machines of their own. Some have been constructed at as low as .£5. At least one glider is in course of construction in Auckland at present, and others are likely to follow. Apart from the pleasure to be gained by gliding utility is a factor, seeing that' to glide requires just as much care and skill as to fly on a big aeroplane. To glide successfully it is necessary to start the machine down a hill by means of some auxiliary impulse. In due oour=c, under favourable conditions, the glider takes the air and also enters upon an undulating flight, tho length of which,. of course, depends on the wind. Gliding is, in short, a practical first step towards masterine aviation. There is every likelihood that if the Aero Club's scheme comes .to fruition tho sport will attract a number of votaries.