PLANS COMPLETE

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 64, 17 March 1933, Page 8

PLANS COMPLETE

THE SOUTHERN CROSS

AEEIYAL TODAY

The very complete plans for the big air show at the Eougotai aerodrome are so far working out very well—even the weather plans—and the promise for a record weekend of flying is very bright indeed. Though eventually the Eongotai aerodrome "would have been extended to make it suitable for the reception of large commercial machines, that work would probably have been long delayed but for the interest aroused by the visit of Air Commodore Sir Charles Kingsford Smith to New Zealand in the Southern Cross, just as in the first place the interest awakened by his first spectacular flight across the Tasnian led to the formation of ah Aero Club in Wellington, and the decision to level the waste of sand at Eongotai to form what1 was the first municipal aerodrome in New Zealand. It is no use denying that the Eongotai aerodrome has its drawbacks, and even now the additional runway does not permit of a large .machine taking off with a full load of petrol,-but there are possibilities of further enlargement of the area which would bring about a considerable improvement and extension of usefulness at no great cost. "AIR MISSIONARY.'' Smithy is a friendly person, cheerful in all things, apparently not always serious in what he has to say, except when he speaks of the future of aviation; on that subject he is dead serious, an earnest advocate, an air missionary, as it were. All his .great flights have had that urge behind them, Australia to' England, transpacific, transatlantic, transtasman, or the dash with the' Singapore air mail. He plays safe because he argues that mere sensationalism can do no lasting good to aviation. It has often been said that there is no need for brave men to risk their lives in spectacular flights, but all know of the great increase in air-mindedness throughout America, and probably the whole world, which followed Lindbergh's great flight from New York to Paris, and there is no doubt that the development of commercial aviation is given great impetus by the successful accomplishment of flights such as those carried out by Amy. Johnston, Kingsford Smith, Scott, and Arthur Butler They dramatically displayed the capaianl Practical utility of the aero- ,, S? r-Chai: les has saia> qui te frankly that his present visit to New Zealand is-a "barnstorming" visit, but his serious interest in encouraging, aviation Wellington by the gift of a handsome trophy as an additional incentive to entrants in the "Evening Post" Aviation Scholarship and his readiness to assist otherwise in -that competition. His seriousness over the real future of aviation is contagious (which is more lasting than mere infection), and what development has so far been made in the Dominion is very largely a result of the interest he and his famous machine have aroused. WEEKEND PROGRAMME. The programme for the weekend opens this afternoon, when Sir Charles will be welcomed at tho Eongotai Aerodrome by the Mayor (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop) and by Colonel A. Cowles, president of the Eeturned Soldiers' Association, of which Sir Charles is a life member. No flying will be done this afternoon. This - evening a joint farewell ball will be tendered to Sir Charles and the crew of the Southern Cross in the Mayfair Cabaret by ■ the Wellington Aero (Hub and the Australian Society. This evening also Sir Charles will lecture at St. 'James Theatre in connection with a'film of his trans-Pacific flight. "The Air Mail" will also be shown. Passenger flying will commence at 2 p.m. oh Saturday, and will be continued on Sunday morning and afternoon. In this regard Sir Charles has stated that he will carefully refrain from disturbing church worshippers. He regrets that owing to the shortness of his tour in New Zealand he finds it necessary to fly on Sundays, but he will not fly over churches during the morning hours of worship, from 11 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. ■ '

The "Wellington Aero Club, and possibly visiting machines, will stage a spectacular air show of formation and novelty. flying. tomorrow "and Sunday afternoons.

On Monday morning the Southern Cross will make a charity flight to.the Marlborough Sounds and back, but Monday afternoon will be free.

Sir Charles and his party will leave for Dannevirke on Tuesday morning.