CIVIL AVIATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 210, 4 August 1934, Page 2

CIVIL AVIATION

TRANSPORT POSSIBILITIES. THE WORK OF AERO CLUBS. WELLINGTON, Aug. 1. “Although no developments worthy of mention have taken place in commercial aviation during the past year awakening interest is being displayed in possibilities of air transport in the Dominion which may lead to some tangible progress in the near future,” states the annual report of the New Zealand Defence Forces. “Air taxi work is chiefly confined to the aero clubs which have been forced to seek this means of support, and which are in a favoured position for this class of work.” The civil aviation statistics at May 31 last wore as follow : Pilots A licenses (private) ... 244 Pilots B licenses (commercial) 44 Aerodromes licensed 2G Aircraft 68 Ground engineers 40 The report stated that the Air Navigation Regulations, 1933, which had now been in force for one year, had greatly facilitated the control of civil aviation. At the same time no provision had been made for any additional staff to administer these regulations, and no aeronautical inspections branch had been formed. During the year 100 pilots wore trained by the aero clubs and the sum of £1755 was paid to clubs on account of subsidies oil pilots. A basis of assistance to aero clubs was under consideration, the proposed modification including a grant to clubs on account of pilots who renewed their licenses and also that loaned aircraft should become the property of the club after having completed a certain number of flying hours. In September, 1933, a scheme for establishing a chain of landing grounds throughout the Dominion was approved by the Government. Its objects were to increase the mobility and defensive power of the New Zealand Air Force and to provide for the development and safety of civil aviation. The scheme utilised unemployed labour to create a permanent national asset and would ultimately result in a very considerable saving of capital on the part of the Government and the local bodies when grounds would otherwise have to be constructed.