AVIATION NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 293, 8 November 1934, Page 12

AVIATION NEWS.

(By “Tailplane.”)

During the past three weeks the total Hying time recorded by club members has amounted to 20 hours 35 minutes, and there have been quite' a number of visitors to Milson aerodrome.

Naturally, the main topic has been the Centenary Air Race, in which the Manawatu entrants put up such a wonderful performance, and the club is naturally very proud of Messrs McGregor and Walker and eagerly awaits their return-to do them due honour. Arrangements are in train to stage a monster welcome ball the night they arrive in Palmerston North, and every effort is being made to make this the success it deserves to be.

Visitors to the aerodrome during the past three weeks were: —October 14, Pilot J. Allen and passenger in AAII from Hastings; Pilot de Castro and passenger from Masterton; October 17, Captain J. C. Mercer and passenger in the Fox Moth ADH from Christchurch, en route to Auckland; October 18, Pilot Barker and passenger in AAB from Hastings; Flt.-Lt. Burrell and passenger in Government Moth 873 from Wanganui; October 19, Captain J. C. Mercer in ADH from Auckland, en route to Christchurch; Pilot H. Preston in ABE from Masterton and return; October 20, Flt.-Lt. Burrell left for Dannevirke and Masterton; October 24, Pilot H. Preston in ABE; Pilot J. Reed in ACD from Masterton; October 25, Captain J. C. Mercer in ADH from Christchurch; Flt.-Lt. Burrell in Moth 873 from Masterton; October 26, Captain Mercer left for Taihape but later returned; October 27, Captain Mercer again left, but later returned owing to weather; October 28, Captain Mercer finally got*away; November 4, Pilot Henderson in AAZ from Wellington.

Cross country flights were made in ABA by Pilot Barnett and passenger to Masterton-Wellington and return; Pilot Honeyfield and passenger to New Plymouth and return, and to Wellington and return.

The repairs to ABV are proceeding apace under the capable supervision of Mr L. Mangham, who hopes to have the machine in the air for the coming week-end. A recent addition to the club’s equipment, is a handsome electric clock which was presented by Mr W. A. Waters. The thanks of the club are extended to Mr Waters for his happy thought, as an accurate timepiece was badly needed for timing flights. The placings in the handicap event of the Air Race will no doubt be received with disappointment by many in this district who thought that Squadron-Leader McGregor would figure in a place; but in flying circles this result was expected. However, no one will begrudge Parmentier his win, as his was a great performance, as also was that of Melrose, the youngest flier in the race and solo at that. This boy must be a born pilot and should go far in aviation, as for all his youth he appears to be gifted with sound judgment.

Squadron-Leader McGregor’s log book should make interesting reading on his return and the true story of the flight should be gleaned from this record.