airisms

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 80, 16 March 1934, Page 9

airisms

by

"Loop"

South Island Pageant, Last week Flight-Lieutenant Gerrand and P. Barker set out for Hokitika to represent the H.B. and E.C. Aero Club at the South Island air pageant. Unfortunately they had arrived at Wellington before they received advice from Hokitika that the pageant had been postponed until next Saturday on account of very bad weather conditions. It is unlikely, however, that the club can. afford to have representation now in view of the proximity of their own North Island pageant. Weather for pageants. It is unfortunate that the weather can be such an important factor in air pageants. Hokitika is particularly hardened in this respect. It is wellknown how much rain the West Coast averages. Hawke’s Bay is much more fortunate, and Hastings should have fine weather. In any case the weather will have to be abnormally bad tQ cause a postponement of the North Island pageant on March 24. as all items are being given by professional pilots quite capable of performing in adverse conditions. Weather Insurance. The executive of the H.B. and E.C. Club, at Wednesday night’s meeting, decided that, in view of the extremely heavy expenditure to which the club has committed itself m connection with the North Island pageant, it would bo advisable to insure against 10 points of rain between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the day. This has been done. Executive Meeting. Many other matters were discussed at a lengthy meeting of the executive of the H.B. and E.C. Club on Wednesday night. Most items on the agenda were in connection with the pageant. It was decided to increase the advertising allocation in an endeavour to ensure that as many persons as possible in Hawke’s Bay are notified about the pageant. Arrangements were made to seek the co-operation of the Fire Brigade and the Territorials, in addition to the police, in handling the large crowd and number of cars anticipated. Steps were taken to procure adequate searchlights for the nightflying display. The billeting of visiting pilots was also settled satisfactorily. Improvements to 'Drome. The club has received unofficial notification that a sum of money has been allotted by the Government for a preliminary survey by the Public Works Department of the Hastings aerodrome. This has been done under the scheme formulated by the N.Z. Aero Club for the establishment of a chain of landing grounds, and for the improvement of existing aerodromes throughout the Dominion. Within a week or so the specialist officer, Mr Gibson, will visit Hastings to outline the survey. Mr Gibson has been responsible for the extensive improvements to the Wigram aerodrome, Sockburn, which has been widely commented upon by the pilots who have paid it a visit. Air Display at GisborneOn Easter Saturday the H.B. and E.C. Club has arranged to give an air display at the motor-cycle sports to be held at Gisborne. Motor-cycle events

will alternate with flying events. Pilots desirous of making the trip are advised to notify the club instructor as early as possible. Two Tropliles,

Recently two trophies have been donated to the H.B. and E.C. Club. They are both for annual competition. The first is to go to the pilot who, during the year, secures the highest aggregate of marks in club competitions. This trophy, donated by Messrs Frank and Maurice Field, takes the form of a polished full-size propeller, in which has been placed a clock. Silver name-plates will be placed on the boss of the propeller. These will indicate the winners in successive years. The other trophy, nqt yet decided upon, has been donated by Mr Brian Boys, and is to go to the pilot who has tfie best log book each year. This is quite a sound idea, one hears from the instructor, who says that no small amount of his time goes to correcting these logs. It is surprising in what a short space of time a log book becomes interesting. A glance at past entries revives memories of incidents and flights. Working Bees. The usual Sunday working bee will be held at the aerodrome next Sunday morning. Members are urged to attend and to come early. There are many tasks at the ’drome requiring attention before the pageant. Several members have been putting in good work during the week. Any others who can attend on week days and who desire a job will be welcomed. Napier Flying. Several pupils at Napier are anxious to be ready for test for their “A” licenses by March 25, when Air Force officers will be here attending the pageant. With this end in view much early flying has been done at Napier. The instructor flies over daily and will continue to do so until further notice. Pupils are asked to note that the instructor will not be absent next weekend as anticipated. Instruction will be given on Sunday morning as usual. Oomplaints have been received from several pupils that it is becoming increasingly difficult to secure the services of the instructor since “Contact” has added to the family. Apparently this requires a great deal of his time. However, one understands that this should rectify itself shortly when the family are weaned! "Air Sense." This publication, from the National Air Safety Committee of Great Britain, contains several specimens of pilots' “Last Words.” Although one has to smile on reading them, the embryo pilot would do well to look for a moral in each of the ones that follow:— I was looking over the other side. I thought I had plenty of room to take off. I never noticed that the wind had changed. The wind above the clouds must have been stronger than I thought. We can get through up that valley. This is miles shorter than following the coast. Fog my foot! I’ve got a turn indicator.