BENEATH THE WINDSOCK

Evening Star, Issue 21717, 11 May 1934, Page 2

BENEATH THE WINDSOCK

[By Gyput Moth.]

* PILOTS AND PLANES. The bad weather experienced during the past week has retarded flying instruction considerably. On Sunday the weather at the Taiori was rather better than at Dunedin, and pilots who visited the drome were able to enjoy some good flying practice. , . Two machines flow, to Balclutha on Sunday morning—ZK-AGE in charge of Flight-lieutenant Olson, and ZK-ABF in charge ot Pilot V. Dale. Dual instruction and solo practice were earned out, eight pupils taking advantage ot the machines’ visit. Both machines returned to the Taieri at noon. Pilot V. Dale is another member who lias commenced advanced dual .instruction in preparation for an endorsed A license. ZK-ACE has undergone an engine top overhaul, and is in service again. Weather permitting, all the planes will be absent from the Taieri from midday to-morrow till noon on Sunday. They are going to Invercargill to take part in competitions organised by the Southland Aero Club. One competition is especially attractive, as it carries cash prizes of £2O, £lO, and £3. This is to be a cross-country flight on a map course. Pilots will be issued with maps and conditions explained to them some time before the competition starts, so each pilot will have a chance to study his course and to make plans. This competition is open to all A and endorsed A pilots in. New Zealand, and will he keenly contested. Otago pilots will do their utmost to bring the first prize back. North and South Island candidates are at present undergoing instruction at Wigram preparatory to taking their examination for certificates as ground engineers to flying clubs. The course is under the supervision of officers of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The candidates undergo training in practical work on aero engines, and have to sit both practical and written examinations. All, .however, have had experience in allied trades, such as motor or other engineering. The course they are undergoing now is to put the finishing touches on their knowledge and experience before they sit the examinations. ' Three Aloth planes will be available for Saturday, May 19, to visit Tapanui in connection with the field day to be held there. Any pilot or passenger desiring to make the trip should communicate with the secretary, Air G. S. Kirby. On Saturday, Aliss D. Paterson and Air S. Gilkinson. of the Southland Aero Club, arrived at the Taieri in Aloth ZK-ADB, returning to Invercargill on Sunday. Pilot E. Mitchell and a lady passenger also arrived on Saturday from Invercargill in ZK-ACP. After having a cup of tea in the club room they took off lor Waimato. Air F. Dix,- in Spartan ZK-ABK, arrived with a passenger on Sunday, leaving on Monday for Timaru. I Pilot ’A. Creighton left on Sunday for Christchurch in ZK-ACI. ; On AVednesday Pilot E. AJitchell called in on his way south and reported a long trip, having taken Hi oOinin from Waimate against heavy southerly winds. This recalls a trip made by three Air Force officers two years ago, who were going to Stockburn to attend a refresher course, in a strong southerly wind they took off from the Taieri in the club’s three Aloths at 8 o’clock and landed at Sockburn at 9.35. NEW PLYMOUTH AIRPORT. At a meeting of the New Plymouth Airport Board recently members discussed the purchase of two floodlights for the aerodrome, and a sub-commit-tee, consisting of Alessrs A. F. Sandford and P. E. Stainton, was set up to go into the question and to bring down a report. It was stated that the lights were needed when work was being done on visiting overseas planes at night. The two lights, which had been lent bn trial for Air C. T. P. Ulm’s recent trans-Tasman, flight, had proved entirely satisfactory.

CHRISTCHURCH AIRPORT. For some time past the establishment of a civil airport for Christchurch has been under investigation by the Christchurch City Council, and some proposed sites have been discussed, hut so far nothing definite has been decided upon (states the 1 ress ). At a recent meeting of the Finance Committee of the council Air E. A. Gibson, the Public AA’orks Department s airport construction engineer, attended and discussed the establishment of a civil airport for the city. Cr J._ K. Archer, the chairman of tho committee told a reporter after the meeting that it appeared that all the big centres in the dominion would have to provide aerodromes sooner or later. The proceedings at the meeting of the committee were in the nature of a consultation between the committee and Air Gibson. Investigation would have to be made as to possible sites and as to the cost of establishing an aerodrome.

BASS STRAIT AIR SERVICE. A new passenger aeroplane for the Bass Strait service, which, it is claimed, will cross the strait in less than an hour and a-half, has been purchased by the Tasmanian Aerial Services Ltd. Tho machine, which is a- four-engined De Haviland 86, with accommodation for twelve passengers and two pilots, is fitted with a two-way wireless telephone. Tho maximum'speed is 180 miles an hour, and the cruising speed is 145 miles an hour. It is expected that the new ’plane will enter the service in September next. TROPHIES FOR CHRISTCHURCH CLUB. The presentation to the Canterbury Aero Club by Sir Bruce Stewart of a cup for an “ aerobatics ” competition is expected to give a fillip to a branch of aviation that lias not received much attention from club pilots in the past (states the ‘ Press ’). It is likely that in the future a great deal more tuition in aerobatics will have to be given members „ than hitherto. At a meeting of the executive of the club recently it was announced that two cups had been presented to the club, one by the president, Air J. C. Guinness, to be known as the President's Cup, and the one by Sir Bruce Steivart. The former will he presented to the most efficient pilot in a system of monthly competitions, the award being made on the total points scored at the end of the year. The other cup will be awarded on the results of either one or two competitions to be arranged later. AIELBOURNE CENTENARY. The British Klenun Company has received an order from two entrants to the Alelboiirne Centenary air race (whose names are not revealed) to construct two monoplanes with a speed of 170 miles an hour. Two intending competitors in the air race, Bernard Rubins and Ken AValler, left Lympne recently on a flight to Australia. It is their intention to complete ground staff arrangements for the centenary race. ALL-METAL DIRIGIBLE. It was recently announced in Washington that the Departments of Commerce and the Navy had comb to an agreement regarding the construction of an all-metal dirigible destined for the South American service, and, perhaps, for the Capo Town line. Another dirigible will he built to maintain the service to Europe and the Orient. The construction expenses will he covered, it is stated, from the Public AVorks funds. CODOCK PLANE TESTED. At the Mascot aerodrome (Sydney) the twin-engined Codock monoplane was put through her tests, from which she emerged successfully. The plane was flown on each Engine separately, and the take-off and landing were perfect. A cruising speed of from 120 to 130 miles an hour will bo probable; while, cruising witb a pilot and six passengers on a Might to Brisbane, it would use only ten gallons of petrol per passenger, compared with an average of twenty gallons per passenger consumed with the older three-engined machines. Alinor adjustments had to be made to the machine before it Was submitted to the official test for airworthiness of the Civil Aviation Department. Tests made later by Sir Charles, prior to his departure for New Zealand by the Monterey revealed that the Codock cruised easily at 120 miles an hour, and in a short burst achieved a top speed oi 140 miles. Sir Charles made two flights, the first, solo; in the second he carried AVingcommander AVackett, the plane’s designer, Squadron-leader Trevor White (New Zealand Air Force), and Air Par Hall