MIDGET AEROPLANES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 150, 20 March 1936, Page 10

MIDGET AEROPLANES

Twelve “Flying Feas” Being Built in New Zealand FORMATION OF CLUBS Twelve single-seater aeroplanes of the type usually known as the ’’Flying Elea" or “Sky Louse,” are being built in New Zealand, and one will be on exhibition at the North Island pugeauc of the New Zealand Aero Club at New Plymouth, according to Mr. P. Thorpe, of Wellington, secretary to the Pou Du Ciel League of New Zealand. lie stated yesterday that the league had members in many centres in boro Hie North and South Islands, and that associate clubs were being formed in Motueka, Christchurch and Palmerston North, while the following enthusiasts were constructing machines: Mr. P. 11. Webb (Christchurch), Ross Dysart ami McLean (Hastings), Messrs. E. R. Perkins and L. Hawke (Waipukurau Mr. J. 11. McMillan (Stratford;, Mr. R. A. Johnston (Kaitaia), Mr. H. li. Johnson (Palmerston North i, Mi. G. M. Smart (Nelson), Mr. P. W. West (Palmerston’North), Mr. H. B. Gardner (Gisborne), Mr. R. A. Thompson (Culverden), Mr. M. Thom (Dannevirke), and Mr. C. W. Aitken (Marton). The “Flying Flea,” called the Pou Du Ciel, was invented in France by M. Henri Mignet, and has since spread to England. Recently a night flight was made in one there, and the construction of a two-seater is reported to be under way. The machine is an effort to meet the demand for a simple cheap and safe aircraft. Mr. Cyril F. Brooke, of Fartown, Huddersfield, recently built one which cost £BO, with a motor-cycle engine, and it is claimed for this model that it has a cruising range of 300 miles, covers 40 miles*to the gallon of petrol, and has a speed range of from 20 to 65 miles an hour. In New Zealand machines are being built to blue prints, which are almost an exact copy of the original machine, but the engines have to be imported. It is stated that a plane can be built for £5O, the engine costing another £35 to £75. The Minister of Defence, the HonF. Jones, recently issued a warning, however, that no aircraft is permitted to fly in this country, except for test ing by a qualified pilot, unless certificated as airworthy. He emphasised that most of the efforts of home-con-structors to build aeroplanes in this country had been simply an expense and a disappointment to the builders. Mr. Thorpe said that the league was making endeavours to have reasonable freedom from restriction for builders, qnd probably representations would be made to the Government. He said it was desired to have in New Zealand a system of control similar to that in Great Britain, where these machines have to be registered and comprehensive third party risk policies have to be taken out by the owners. He explained that the Waipukurau machine which was to be exhibited at the aero pageant on Saturday was com plete, except that the propeller was not fitted. The league hoped to make arrangements for this machine to be exhibited in Wellington. (Picture on Page 9.)