CIVIL AVIATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 219, 12 August 1930, Page 7

CIVIL AVIATION.

DEVELOPMENT RETARDED. APPROVAL OF CLUBS. (By Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 11. “The development ot civil aviation in New Zealand lias been retarded by the cost of providing adequate ground organisation and the difficulty experienced in selecting suitable grounds,” states the annual report of the Defence Department. “Local bodies throughout tlie Dominion, however, now realise their responsibilities in this direction,” it continues, “and are making strenuous efforts to provide suitable aerodromes in their own districts. Selected areas on possible air-line routes are being constantly examined and classified by Air Force officers. At present there are in tire Dominion, apart from the two Air Force stations, seven aerodromes licensed for the use of light ’planes and twelve others in various stages of development.” The report states that there are 14 aero clubs, of which seven are actively training pilots. Some of these clubs have provided tiieir own aeroplanes and others intend to obtain pilot instruction by arrangement with tho stronger clubs or commercial firms. Five of these clubs —Auckland, Hawke’s Bay and East Coast, Wellington, Marlborough and Canterbury Aero Clubs—have been approved by the Government for the purpose of tho subsidy and each club, except Wellington, has received two Moth aeroplanes, making a. total of nine Government ’planes on loan to clubs. The Wellington Aero Club will receive a second machine when the club has made further progress. It is not possible to subsidise all the clubs which apply for Government assistance and the present intention is to recommend a total of seven aero clubs for the Government grant. Since the inception of the aero clubs, 76 members have received pilot training and have qualified for their flying certificates.

During the past year three Moth aeroplanes which were seriously damaged during pupil instruction have been completely rebuilt at Wigranj aerodrome at the Government’s expense. Five clubs subsidised by the Government have held air pageants yith the object of raising funds and fostering the air sense of the general public. In each case three or four service machines, piloted by Air Force officers, have participated. As yet no civil air lines have commenced operations in tho Dominion.