AERO CLUB BUYS TRAINING PLANES AT £50 APIECE

Grey River Argus, 22 May 1947, Page 5

AERO CLUB BUYS TRAINING PLANES AT £50 APIECE

Ten For Taranaki P.A. NEW PLYMOUTH, May 21. The purchase of ten more aircraft is the subject ol negotiation at present between the New Plymouth Aero Club and the Government. The project, which will have the effect of almost doubling the Club’s present fleet, is practically assured, the president, Mr W. H. Lightbrand told the Club executive meeting to-night. Details of negotiations begun at Wellington between the Government and the clubs represented at the annual meeting of the Royal New Zealand Aero Clubs, were given by Mr Lightband, who was the New Plymouth Club’s delegate. He said they were advised that a number of Tiger Mohts were to be made available, and it was their opinion that the Government should either give the aircraft to clubs, or sell them at a low figure, especially as the clubs would shortly be undertaking the training of civil reserve pilots, and Air Training Corps cadets.

“We decided at Wellington ’to take the bulk lot of fifty aircraft, which will average at about twenty-five per cent, of the upset value, about. £5O each,” said Mr Lightband-. “I left New Plymouth with authority to buy three more machines, but because of the low cost, we are now negotiating for ten machines.” The total cost to the club, including the cbst of assembling and, bringing the planes to New Plymouth, will be about £75 for each aircraft.