OWNED OWN PLANE IN 1927

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 162, 5 April 1938, Page 10

OWNED OWN PLANE IN 1927

Resident Of Brisbane

EFFICIENT AUSTRALIAN AIR SERVICES

Dominion Special Service.

Auckland, April 4

The first private owner of plane in Australia, Mr. alter. IV. 1 Ik'-, of Brisbane, was a through passenger by the Monterey. He became airmlndcd as a youth and was attached to the Roval Flying Corps and Royal AH Force during the latter half of the Great War. In 1927 he .imported a Gipsy Moth for his own use. Its engine number of 32 indicated the early type of machine he received, it has since been sold and crashed some time ago. “On a population basis Australia has better air services than any\otber country- in the world,” said Mr. Pike. lb,.j are very far advanced in commercial aviation in America and Australia is taking every advantage of the progress being made there. In many respects, and particularly geographically, Australia offers similar conditions for flying to those found in America. The tremendous distances that have to be covered make the use of aeroplanes the ideal form of travel" Mr. Pike said Ausrralian s were becoming more airminded daily. Services were becoming increasingly popular because of the excellent Hying conditions and the fact that rates were so reasonable. amounting to about fl for every 100 'miles. At present he said there were three airlines serving the eastern coast of Australia and linking major centres, two being passenger services. In the near future two additional passenger services were to be inaugurated. Few of the services were subsidised, but were controlled by private enterprise. Mr. Pike was a foundation member of the Royal Queensland Aero Club, of which he ‘is now a life member. This club established a record of 7000 flying hours last year. Mr. Pike is accompanied by Mrs. Pike and they are going oi\ a holiday trip to the United States.'