The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES.” GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1946. AERO CLUB MOVE MERITS SUPPORT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22201, 11 December 1946, Page 4

The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES.” GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1946. AERO CLUB MOVE MERITS SUPPORT

PROBABLY no place in New Zealand has had a better record than Gisborne for Air Force service during the war. . Both in the quality and the numbers of the men it contributed this district lias earned a distinction which deserves to be perpetuated in some tangible form. Undoubtedly the best method oi doing this. would be through the establishment of aero club flying. Despite the continued absence of the pre-war Government subsidy, aero clubs in many other parts of the Dominion arc reported to be nourishing, and there is every reason to believe that once a start were made in a district like this, which was represented by over 1000 airmen during the war years, great progress would be made in training the young idea. The preliminary work done so far by a special committee points to the certainty of a most economical start. Through the publicspirited offer by two key officials it is understood that arrangements can be made to secure the voluntary services of an experienced instructor and ground engineer. The instructor would be Mr. L. R. Remolds, D.F.C., formerly officer commanding No. 20 (Fighter) Squadron R.N.Z.A.F., and the ground engineer Mr. J. Bellow, now of the National Airways Corporation.. The action of these men in coming forward so generously in the interests of aero club flying merits the most wholehearted backing from all citizens who realise the need for Gisborne to keep abreast of the times.. Still another welcome acquisition will be a Tiger Moth training aircraft supplied by the Government for £450 on favourable terms. The new machine is in first-class order, with a certificate of airworthiness for 12 months, and is expected to do the same work as a new one costing between £I7OO and £2OOO. In all the circumstances it is apparent, therefore, that the Gisborne Aero Club can start operations at the lowest possible cost with the best of training personnel and material. There will, of course, be room for expansion. The success of this ambition depends on the liberality of citizens in coming forward as subscribing members of the club in one or other of the categories provided for. That donations of any amounts would be welcome goes without saying. A final thought is that the permanent presence of at least one aircraft, even a small one, in the district may prove to be a,n advantage in a time of emergency such as sickness. A standard Tiger Moth would not offer suitable transport for a stretcher case, but if the club progresses in the manner anticipated it should note be long before a machine more adequate for ambulance work is procured. The success of the enterprise will depend to a large extent on the enthusiasm shown at the public meeting to be held to-morrow night. That meeting is worthy of a large attendance.