FLYING CLUBS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 130, 4 June 1931, Page 20

FLYING CLUBS

IMPORTANCE AT HOME (From "Tlio Post's" Reprosontatlve.) LONDON, 30lh March. Latest statistics of the operations during last year of British light aeroplane clubs, collected by Major Oliver Stewart, demonstrate in no uncertain fashion tho importance of these organisations in the growth, of aviation. in round figures the number of flying club members', is now 7000, and club aeroplanes total about one hundred. The highest aggregate of flying hours is recorded by National Flying Services, whose machines flew in 1930 no fewer- than 13,1-13 hours, but this figure, achieved by a big organisation controlling several clubs and interested in other flying activities, is not strictly comparable with the records of individual clubs. Nevertheless, the flying time is notable, representing at a conservative estimate one million miles of distance covered. ' •'-... Typical of the inherent energy of the club system arc the statistics of activity recorded by the Lancashire Aeroplane Club. This body has 278 members, 65 of whom are qualified pilots. It possesses five light' biplanes, one "Moth," and four "Avians," and flying hours during 1930 totalled 1538. The Midland Club, with headquarters near Birmingham, has 443 members, and did more than 1100 hours' flying on four aeroplanes. -The Scottish Flying Club realised 1415 hours, divided among {our aeroplanes and, 456 flying and nonflying; members. The aircraft employed at these clubs, though engaged in tho.arduous work, of tuition most of the time and necessarily making countless ascents with the engine' running near full throttle, demonstrated fine trustworthiness. For example, the three aeroplanes belonging to the Cinque Ports Club averaged during the year 417 hours each, a total of individual flying time representing a distance of 35,000 miles. The .Scottish Club's aeroplanes averaged nearly 353 hours each, the Liverpool Club 333 hours, and the Bristol and Wessex Club 320 hours.