NEW AERO CLUB BUILDING

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 259, 31 July 1939, Page 10

NEW AERO CLUB BUILDING

Opening At Palmerston North WIDE VARIETY OF PLANES PRESENT Dominion Special Service. PALMERSTON N., July 30. Approximately 20 machines from different parts of New Zealand attended the official opening by the Minister of Defence. Mr. Jones, of the Middle Districts Aero Club's new buildings at Milson aerodrome. Palmerston North, on Saturday afternoon. The buildings were constructed to replace the old club quarters which were destroyed by tire about three months ago. In' addition to a wide variety of club planes, there were present Fairey Gordon, Baffin and Airspeed Oxford machines belonging to the Royal New Ze:v» land Air Force. Unfavourable weather interfered with the flying display, but nevertheless a good afternoon’s entertainment was provided for the public. The )>eople of Palmerston North deserved to be congratulated on their enterprise in furthering aviation, said the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones. Had it not been for their enterprise Palmerston North would not have become the junction of all the important air services. The people of Palmerston North took an interest in the activities of the club, and he hoped they would continue to do so. An event such as that being held gave the people an opportunity to seethe type of aeroplanes the Air Force was using. There was on the ground an Airspeed Oxford, and there were four other machines of that type iu the Dominion. Six more had been ordered for training pilots. The Fairey Gordons and Ballins were used for reconnaissance work round the coast, but their main purpose was the training of pilots. The Air Force bad a fine type of young man coming forward to play a part in the defence of the country. Mr. Jones said that the club had to thank other flying clubs for coming to its assistance in providing aircraft after the fire, particularly the Canterbury Aero Club. After outlining the history of the club, .Mr. Jones said that in January, 1936, the first trunk commercial aircraft service was started from .Milson Aerodrome, which then became the operational headquarters of Union Airways of New Zealand, Ltd. Il ith the use* of the aerodrome by a public transport service it was considered that it should be taken over by the Palmerston North City Council and operated as a municipal undertaking. A poll of ratepayers agreed to the raising of a loan for £20,000 for the purchase of the area of 125 acres leased by Milsou Aerodrome Incorporated, and in June. 1937, the Governor-General-in-Council consented to the city council’s acquiring the title. Traffic on regular aircraft services had increased very considerably during the last two years, and at present there was a daily total of 12 departures and arrivals of aircraft on scheduled services. The total number of passengers arriving and departing from the aerodrome during the year ended March 31, 1939, was 8884, and recent figures showed that total would be exceeded iu the coming year. Another Step Forward. The opening of the club buildings marked another step forward in the advancement of the Middle Districts Aero Club, said the president of the • club, Mr. P. K. Fowler. The club was in its eleventh year. About 10 years ago a dozen enthusiasts selected an area of 50 acres for a landing ground. They had a big hurdle in front of them to prepare the surface for use by aircraft. The work was done by voluntary labour and was even carried on at night. To date the club had trained 100 pilots to A licence standard.. Two former club pilots were now employed by Union Airways as chief pilots and two as co-pilots. Others had gone overseas to join the Royal Air Force and were doing extremely well. The club was very proud that it had an entry iu the centennial air race to Australia. A Miles Hawk was flown by the late Squadron Leader McGregor and Mr. 11. Walker. The machine putup an outstanding effort, and, had it not been for bad luck in Australia, would have gained second or third place. Training Scheme. Some years ago Hie Government introduced two schemes which bad been beneficial to .aero clubs throughout New Zealand. One was the civil reserve scheme which gave the clubs a great help and increased their Hying time. The other was the easy purchase method of obtaining machines. If had worked out most suitably for clubs, lie thanked Mr. Jones and the Air Society for the assistance given in obtaining aircraft to carry on with after the club lost its machines iu the fire which destroyed the clubhouse. He also expressed appreciation of the improvements made round the clubhouse as a result of lhe efforts of the mayor of Palmerston North, A. E. Mansford, and councillors. The members of the club were to be commended for the very wonderful spirit they had shown while the club had been in operation, said Mr. Mansford. One could not but be struck by the indomitable spirit shown by them when they starlet! to rebuild Hie clubhouse the day after it was destroyed. The people of New Zealand had to thank the Middle Districts club and other clubs for bringing aviation so prominently before the notice of lhe public. He thanked the club for securing the lease of the aerodrome proper'.} and thereby making it possible for the citv council to acquire the aerodrome .Mr. J. Hodgens, M.P. for Palmerston Nor'h also spoke. Keen interest was shown by the public in lhe different types of aircraft on display particularly the Airspeed Oxford. Formation flying by flub and Air Force machines and displays of aerobatics, were given.