GLIDING

Evening Star, Issue 21081, 19 April 1932, Page 7

GLIDING

+ MEETING OF CLUB Gliding in Otago was officially inaugurated last night, when the first annual meeting of the Otago Gliding Club was held in the Calder Mackay Company’s building. Air W. G. V. Fernie presided. Air J. L. APlndoe was introduced by the chairman, who, he said, had agreed to become the first president of the club. Air AlTndoe was a member of the executive of the Otago Aero Club and city councillor, who also took a great interest in gliding. Air MTndoe said that the president of the Aero Club (Air A. H. Allen) was anxious to foster gliding, as it was of great interest to aeroplane pilots. _ The club would form a valuable training ground for future pilots, which would assist the Aero Club to a very large extent. The club cost £2,000 annually to run, and this could be recovered only through the pilots’ fees. The Government paid a subsidy for every clubtrained “ A ” class pilot, but this was not sufficient to cover the expenses. Once a man had actually flown a glider he would not be satisfied till he had an engine in front of him. An important point in gliding was that one obtained the “ feel ” of the air, and a power pilot who had been trained in gliders to take advantage of the air currents need never be at a loss in the event of engine failure. On behalf of the Aero Club Air AlTndoe wished the Gliding Club every success, and expressed the hope that it would take full advantage of the facilities offered. The Aero Club would grant the use of the aerodrome and technical advice of its staff. Air AlTndoe remarked that there was a controversy over the best method of launching training gliders. One school of thought favoured the use of a_ shock cord, while others considered towing by a motor car the best method. He thought that tho most suitable method for Dunedin conditions would be the latter one, as it would bo difficult to obtain a suitable ground. If a motor car were used the aerodrome would be the most useful ground for training purposes. Air Fernie pointed out that the Auckland Club had made between 700 and 800 flights, tho longest of which had been 2Jmin. The officials of that club declared the shock cord method of launching to be the more suitable, while, on the other hand, Captain Bolt, who had considerable glider experience, was of the opinion that towing behind (i motor car was more suitable, as it gave better control. The latter method also saved a great deal of effort and expense, as the cost of a cord, on which thefe was considerable wear, was about £lO.

It was pointed out that gliding certificates could only be issued if the glider were launched by a shock cord. It was resolved that a working bee he held on Saturday, April 30, to recondition the glider which has been donated to the club. Work will be commenced at 2 p.m. at the Calder Mackay Company’s building. The following officers wore elected: — President, Mr J. L. M'lndoe; vice-pre-sident, Mr W. G. V. Fernie; secretary and treasurer, Mr H. C. Dillon; committee—Messrs H. Dreaver, R. S. Frapwell, L. N. Latimer, F. Roberts, R. Kennedy, I. Ballantyne, and H. M. Smith. *