AERO CLUB

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1932, Page 4

AERO CLUB

ACTIVITIES IN HOKITIKA. VISIT OF CAPTAIN MERCER. The interest that is being taken in the proposal to commence a course of instruction in flying in Hokitika under the auspices of the Westland Aero Club avu.s jigain in evidence last evening when a well attended meeting of enthusiasts including those who have notified their intention of joining the Club, and, in particular those who intend availing themselves of the course, was held in Mclntosh’s Club Rooms. The occasion of the meeting was the visit of Captain J. C. Mercer, instructor to the Canterbury Aero Club, who paid a special visit to impart first hand advice to the officials of the Club on the project about to lie undertaken. Prior to the meeting, a visit was paid to the landing ground at South Hokitika, and Captain Mercer was favourably impressed with the area, and said that lie was quite sure that when the field was finished, it would make a. good training ground. Even in its present condition, it was sufficiently good enough to commence instruction in living. The meeting, which was largely attended. was presided over by the chairman (Mr H. T. Parry.) Captain Mercer gave a long, and detailed talk on flying. He pointed out that in other centres there had been some over-enthusiasm on tire part ot members which bad resulted in some of the pupil members discontinuing their course of instruction after it had beep commenced. He warned intending pupils to give the matter every consid* eration before deciding. He went minutely into the cost of such a course, and pointed out the reason why it could not be done very cheaply, but stated that the amount Required to be paid would ensure the pupil reaching a high standard of efficiency upon gaining bis certificate. Continuing, Captain Mercer said several tilings would have to be attended to before the class could be put into operation. Firstly. the ground would have to be approved of by the Director of Air Services before it could be used as a training ground, and the whole matter will have to be put before the Canterbury Aero Club, of which, the "Westland Club is expected to become an integral part. If preparations went through without interruption, there was no reason why training should not be commenced within two months. The Secretary (Mr Jack Renton) lias announced that already there is a membership of 40 including eight who will be pupil members. "When the class is established, instruction will be undertaken by Captain Mercer himself, who will possibly spend a week in each month at Hokitika for this purpose, and it is estimated that, at this rate, it will take a. pupil from eight to nine months to obtain his “A” license.