OTAGO AERO CLUB

Evening Star, Issue 21381, 7 April 1933, Page 14

OTAGO AERO CLUB

.... , . —— r- . • MEETING OF EXECUTIVE The monthly meeting of thq executive of the Otago Aero Club (Inc.) was presided over by the president (Mr A, H. Alien). There were also present Messrs \V. D. Taylor, Ambrose Hudson, J; L. M'lndoe, T. Penrose, R. Hudson, and J. A. Robertson. The Chairman thanked the members of the executive for the work they had done in connection with , the’visit of Air Commodore Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, and stated that it was ■ gratifying to record that Sir Charles'had said that his welcome •to • the Otago airport was the most outstanding on-his entire tour.

The Ilying report from the Taieri aerodrome recorded .for the month of March twenty-six dying days and five non-fly-ing days. Training had suffered to,a certain extent owing to the chief pilot instructor , (Flightdieutenant, E, G- .Olson) being for part of. the, period ;at Christchurch .-attending, the -annual refresher course. Flight-lieutenant W. F; Park, assistant pilot instructor, had, however; given as much-attention to the Taieri as, was,! possible. The Hying hours for .tlie.month.’.of..March’, were as followsTaieri ; aerodrome :• 76 hours 40 minutes, an increase of 26 hours 5 minutes over the previous month. .Alma aerodronie ,(Oauiaru)’;.-23 hours for tho last three weeks of the;month... ' Flight-lieutenant Olsom reported that whilst attending the refresher course at (lie Wigram aerodrome. Christchurch, two’ of the club’s trained pupils; Mr' R. 11. Hudson and'Mr D. Campbell, had been granted*. commissions in the New Zealand Air Force, and both had done very well. During the course both these pilots had flown service type aiicralt. and they were the first''.Now Zealand club-trained pilots to do so in the one course. ’ At present there were four pupils training at tho Taieri, aiulthreo at Oamarn. During the month, ot March one 'pppJlv had., obtained Ins A. license at the Taieri; and two at Oamaru. One of tlie Oamarn pupils, L. T. Whitaker,, was, now one of thp youngest pilots in New Zealand, He had commenced his training ,at the age of fifteen.- ‘ ... • „..../ . During the Easter holidays .Flightlieutenant Olson,' accompanied by, Mr Ai Burbridge ■ (ground, engineer), will dive passenger flights aii Roxmjrgn. aiid Flight-lien tenant Parkwdl remain at Oaiflani. ~• / , " ‘ The Chairman stated that there were fifty ‘relief workers at present- engaged at the club’s’aerodrome at Green Island. The Mayor of .Lawrence (Mi; J. .K. Simpson) a'nd Mr, Mlntosn. inVitcd the club to‘ send a representative to Lawrence with a view {.to a;’suitable 1 ground to be; used as «ui‘ airporL Fli°bt-lieutenant Qlson - was instructed to go to Lawyehce In pi’der to inspect the locality. * , ; '. ' •; It was decidedthat th’e,Aircraft. Committee be empowered to effect improvements to the aircraft in order that the .comfort of -, ’passengers ■ might,, be increased. . ■ 1 ' 1 )