PAGEANT IN AIR

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 5, 5 December 1931, Page 6

PAGEANT IN AIR

former r.a.f. pilots. MILSON AERODROME. The weather was warm and hazy this afternoon for t almerstou North’s first air pageant. Elaborate arrangements had been made lor tin afternoon’s events, and before noon spectators, many ot whom had travelled considerable distances, were arriving ai the Milson aerodrome, which is being officially opened this afternoon by Hon. J G. Cob be, Minister ot Defence Former R.A.F. pilots on the field tin., morning were Major Cowper (pilot-in-structor for the Manawatu Aero Cl no,. Major M. McGregor, who was flying a Spartan ’plane and Rlight-Lieut . Burrell, of the New Zealand An- tone, with a Bristol fighter. Othei R.A.J pilots arriving for the pageant were Captain Gould (instructor tor the Hastings Aero Club), Captain fetedman (instructor for the Wellington Aero CmH and Captain Gibbons (instructor for the Wanganui Aero Club). Other pilots en route 5 were Messrs lan Keith linstructor for the New Plymouth Aero Club; K Holdaway (New Plymouth) Jury (Masterton), Goodwin and Dutlue (Wellington), also several others The aerodrome is a property ot littyfive acres in a readily accessible pan of Alilson, with particularly good flying approaches. The landing distance is ollu yards in each direction and the field is of the B clans, according to official designation. It has an excellent surface and this will be materially improved later by rolling. The property is held on lease by Milson Aerodrome, Incorporated, the president of which body is Air D. 'Smillie. The Manawatu Aero Club, bv whom Major Cowper Ls engaged as instructor, rents the field from the controlling authorities. The accommodation provided at the aerodrome is outstanding, there being one of the best hangars in the Dominion. The building can house five folded ’planes. There is also a pilots' dressing room, a ladies’ dressing room, an instructor’s office, a workshop and a tea room. The total cost of this equipment has been £450. Flood-lighting apparatus to illuminate the landing field for night flying, which the Manawatu Aero Club, with commendable initiative, has been the first to inaugurate in the Dominion, is an important adjunct to the appointments. There are two petrol pumps. Round the aerodrome is an ideal ninehole golf course, and it has been decided that a tennis court shall be laid down.

The machine being used by the Manawatu Aero Club is a standard Gipsy Moth for instruction purposes, and loaned ‘ by the Government to the Western Flying Next week an Avro-Avian. Which has been acquired bv Mr C. M. Bowden, of Palmerston North, and has been assembled, will make its appearance at the Milson aerodrome, which will be its permanent home. There will then be two ’planes stationed at this centre.

The facilities now provided at the aerodrome are estimated to have a value of £IOOO. A short time ago the Botary Club donated an ornamental entrance and gates for the flying field. Recently aviation has received much greater attention in Palmerston North, which was at first decidedly apathetic, but the advantages of an airport and the promotion of aviation at this centre, which it is predicted will become the junction for North Island air services, have now been more widely recognised by the public. To-day’s page-a-nd greatly stimulated interest in aviation -here. Cups for flying competitions were donated by Messrs A. E. Ekstedt, J. B. Gerrand, and J. Weston Smith.