Manawatu Aero Club

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 268, 12 November 1936, Page 9

Manawatu Aero Club

YEAR’S ACTIVITIES REVIEWED The following is to bo presented to the' annual meeting of the Manawatu Aero Club by tho executive: — “Government Recognition. —The most important event of the year in the progress of tho club, has been tho formation of the middle districts aero club incorporating the Feilding, Manawatu and Levin aero clubs, and the recognition of the combined club by the Government for the loan of Government aircraft to supplement tho club aircraft. For the year ended March 31 the club received Government subsidies amounting to £370, representing £250 on new pilots trained during the year, and £l2O on renewals of licences. Tho club has also become affiliated with the New Zealand Aero Club, and was represented at tho conference of delegates in Wellington in May last, when various important matters were considered and representations made to tho Government for increased assistance to Aoro Clubs in keeping with the present-day requirements and conditions. ‘ -Club Trophies.—lt is with much appreciation that wo acknowledge several fine trophies that have been donated to the club during the year by members and public-spirited citizens. Messrs. J. R Smillie and D. C. Smillie, pilot members of the club, donated tho "Brothers’ Cup” for monthly competition by members of tho club. Squadron-Leader P. K. Fowler, also one of our valued members, recently presented a handsome cup for tho best club-trained pilot for the year to be awarded on points for flying, general knowledge, navigation, and knowledge of regulations. Messrs. 0. M. Ross Co. Ltd., who have always been valued supporters of tho club, have donated a thirty guinea trophy of very attractive and symbolical design for annual competition, tho specific conditions of which are now under consideration. The club has just received notice from Mr. M. U. Oram, a past president of tho club, that ho wishes to donate a trophy to bo called tho “McGregor Memorial Trophy,” in honour of the national services rendered by the Into Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor. It is proposed that this trophy be open for competition among pilots of over 50 hours’ solo flying, throughout the Aero Clubs of New Zealand. The club very cordially appreciates tho generosity of the donors of theso valuable and welcome trophies, -which will encourage a healthy ambition for proficient and skilful flying among club pilots. Scholarship—Excellent support was given to the scholarship held during the year, tho number of entrants totalling nearly 100. Tho winner, Mr. A. S. Luxmoorc of Kiwitca, is making splendid progress with his free courso of instruction, and will be ready for his test at an early date. A considerable number of the scholarship candidates havu subsequently undertaken training, and tho result should be the production of a number of very promising pilots of an age that-will make them a definite national asset.

“Training.—The following members arc congratulated on haviug gained their “A” licences during the year:— W. A. Chandler, H. W. Wilson, E. F. Collinson, E. W. Pearse, B. T. Shannon, W. J. Foley, J. L. Terry, J. Caudertou, J. Bower, M. McKenzie. It is also very pleasing (o record that Messrs, it. Linklater and M. McLeod have obtained their “B” licences. The hours flown during the year total 778. •‘At the present time there aro over 30 pupil members under active instruction, and it is anticipated that the majority of these will obtain their licences before the end of the present financial year. Wo should, therefore, bceomo entitled to the maximum Government subsidy for this year. Our most serious handicap is tho lack of sufficient machines to cope with the heavy pressure of training, and tho interruptions caused through machines being laid up for overhauls and repairs, is a matter of considerable inconvenience to pupils and loss to tho club. We hope, however, that our equipment wiil be augmented in the near future by the addition of a Government-loanod aircraft, as wo have been recommended by the N.Z. Aero Club for a machine from the next issue of Government machines, to which we have a special claim in consideration of the fact that this club has never yet received such assistance, in comparison with most other clubs having received two or three loan machines from time to time.

“Club Aircraft.—lt is unfortunate that both ZIv—ABA and ZK—ABV have suffered major mishaps as well as minor damago during the year, and the heavy call on our resources thus caused is shown in the items of expenditure for repairs and maintenance £516, and estimated loss by crashes £7OO shown in the accounts. Both machines were rebuilt in a workmanlike manner in the Union Airways’ workshops at Milson, and arc now in excellent condition.

“Blind Flying—ln anticipation of a demand for blind flying instruction, particularly by commercial pilots, we installed a set of instruments in ZK — AB'V, and have carried out a considerable amount of this class of instruction during the past few months. As a result of this training, two pilots of Union Airways’ staff, Messrs. A. V. Jury and M. McLeod, have already passed their tests in instrument flying in a very creditable manner.

“Finance.—As it is a very rare oceuranco for any Aero club to show a prolit iu its reveuue account, and in somo cases the annual losses are, unfortunately, very substantial, we may consider that the loss shown iu our accounts for the year of £ll Os Id, not unduly heavy, particularly in view of the fact that both our machines suffered extensive damage through major crashes, as well as minor damage from time to time. Our revenue for the year was considerable assisted by tho proceeds of the pageant held on the accasiou of the opening of Union Airways’ Trunk Service in January' last. “Obituary.—lt is with tho deepest regret that we have to record tho death of Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor as the result of the unfortunate accident at Rongotai. In addition to having filled tho position of pilot instructor to this club, Squadron-Leader McGregor had been closely identified with the development of commercial aviation at this centre and throughout the Dominion a and ilia loss, was a gevera. and

tragic one. We also deeply deplore the death of Pilot Officer “Scotty” Fraser, who lost his lifo under tragic circumstances while assisting at tho pageant given at Wellington, in aid of the McGregor nation fund. Officers Nominated ‘ ‘The following nominations have been received for election at tho annual meeting:—Patron, Mr J. A. Nash; president, Mr H. E. Edmunds; vicepresidents, Messrs. R. L. C. Aitchison, W. G. Black, L. H. Collinson, H. B. Free, J. Hodgcns, M.P., J. Linklater, C. Louisson, A. E. Mansford, R. Tanner, Jas. Wallace, W. A. Waters; club captain, Mr N. R. Lecher; hou. treasurcrj Mr J. B. Smillie; general committee (10 vacancies): Mesrs. E. W. Barnett, W. E. Cooper, G. W. Dixon, P. Iv. Fowler, R. Linklater, E. W. Pearse, R. L. MeGaffiu, C. N. Rabonc, V. B. Short, D. C. Smillie, E. V. West. As nominations for the committee exceed the vacancies there will be an election at tho annual meeting. “Regret will be felt that Mr. W. A. Waters, who has been a member of the club since its inception, and has held office continually since, including the office of president, has notified that he is not able to accept nomination for reelection to tho committee this year. Mr Waters has rendered valuable service to tho club, and to the progress of aviation generally, and wo tako tho opportunity of placing on record our sincere appreciation of these services. The club will also regret to lose Mr A. H. Honeyfield, who lias been transferred to Auckland, and who -will be greatly missed both as a pilot member and as a valuable officer of the club for a number of years. Other retiring officors whose services are cordially acknowledged aro Messrs. C. M. Dutbie, E. V. Spear, W. H. Brown and It. Tanner. “Staff. —To Squadron-Leader T. W. White, Mr E. F. Harvie, and other pilots who have carried out the duties of pilot instructor at various times during the year, we wish to tender our acknowledgments for services so ably and conscientiously rendered; also to Union Airways and Mr. L. Maugham, their cheif engineer, for efficient ground worl4 and co-operation. “Acknowledgments. —The thanks of tho club are onco again due to the Minister of Defence, the Controller of Civil Aviation, the Commanding Officer and staff at Wigrani aerodrome, and to other aero clubs for their kindly assistance and friendly co-operation during the year.”