LIGHT AEROPLANES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 31 December 1924, Page 2

LIGHT AEROPLANES.

SOURCES OF GREAT INDUSTRY.

EFFECT OF AUSTRALIA’S DERBY.

SYDNEY, Dee. 24. The recent Aerial Derby at Richmond, near Sydney, has had the effect of greatly stimulating interest in the; construction of light aeroplanes ip. the other capitals as well as-.in -Sydney.Particularly is this so in Brisbane. One reason for this is' that the private use of aircraft on the large stations has advanced more-in Queensland . than 'anywhere else in Australia, and the need is felt for some reasonable priced machine capable of serving the needs of station owners. It is apparent that the-low-powered.’machine, represents a real need here, and that there is likely to develop.- a machine pecularily adapt•ed for Australian conditions. Some firms, like the builders, of the Avro aeroplanes, have conducted! exhaustive experiments .to ascertain the timbers' best suited to the exacting climate, and the results have been such that the time is not far distant when an entirely Australian machine will be seen ’skimming across our skies. One result of the stimulation given by the recent Derby competitions, is . a determination by the .Queensland section of the Australian Aero, Club to organise a similar >series of competitions, for the northern capital, and these -.will take place about Easter. It also will be principally devoted to the eneourageiijent of the local construction of light machines, and at the same time it will aim at demonstrating the latest in aircraft so far as it has reached these shores.

Mr H. Miller, pilot of the Ascot Garage aeroplane of Brisbane, which won the Aerial Derby at Richmond, has informed the, Queensland section .that while in Sydney he approached several leading airmen with a view to securing their co-operation, with a result that Mr Onslow, whose machine won the light ’plpne competition, has promised to send his machine to Brisbane to take part: -Mr Ross, who was also a competitor, has promised to send two machines, and Mr Jones has promised to send one. Support from the Defence Department has been secured from the Controller of Civil Aviation (Colonel Brinsniead), who has promised to send two DHS3 light machines to take part m the demonstration, so that a good, groundwork for the success of the new undertaking hag already been laid. Moreover, there is in Brisbane at piesent a low-powered machine designed and built by a local flying man. This machine, which is principally constructed of Queensland timber, was built to compete in the recent trials at Richmond, but owing to the non-arrival of the engine it did not compete, there are other aviators contemplating the building of machines of a similar e ifc I s hoped that Queensland will be welbrepresented at the competitions.