Lift Ban On Aero Club Flying

Northern Advocate, 21 December 1945, Page 8

Lift Ban On Aero Club Flying

(P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The ban on club flying in New Zealand, which has been in force since the war began, will be lifted shortly and aero clubs will be able to resume some of their flying activities. This information was given by the Minister for Defence (Hon. F. Jones) last night, when he was asked how soon aero club members would be able to start fly-, ing again.

Mr Jones said he hoped within the nekt few days to be able to give authority for the issue of licenses to existing aero clubs throughout New Zealand which would allow their members to resume flying. Aircraft would be made available as soon as possible to clubs that were able to receive them, and additional aircraft would be available as soon'as certificates of airworthiness were granted. A limited quantity of petrol could be, made available to clubs that wished to resume and they tVould be able to carry on some of their flying activities. PILOTS TO SPARE “I believe this decision will be welcomed by clubs, although it does not go as far as they would like,” said Mr Jones.

“I think the majority of aero club members are anxious to start flying and will be quite prepared to wait for any further developments.”

Mr Jones added that there was nothing to stop clubs resuming the training of pilots, but no decision had been made by the Government regarding the payment of subsidies. These subsidies were paid before the war for the training of pilots, but today' the position was entirely different, as there were pilots to spare. The question of the future training of pilots was "something which would have to be taken into account when the post-war policy for civil aviation and« the New Zealand Air Force was considered. When the Government was considering training it would take into consideration the position of aero clubs and whether their facilities would be of any benefit. Mr Jones said he was quite prepared to issue licences to the owners of aircraft who had previously held pilots’ licences if they still had their machines and wished to fly. It might be possible to allow a limited quantity of petrol to private, owners. 12 TIGER MOTHS

'/Practically all the aircraft owned by New Zealand aero clubs were taken over by the Government for the use of the Royal New Zealand Air Force at the beginning of the war.

Clubs were credited with the value of their aircraft and some are now using money for the purchase of Tiger Moth aricral't from the Government.

During the war Tiger Moths were produced in the Dominion by the De Havilland Aircraft Company and approximately 200 are reported to have been placed in storage at the Taieri air station to await disposal through the War Assets Realisation Board.

At present 12 Tiger-Moths have been reconditioned by the De Havilland Company at Rongotai, but many have been held there until authority was given for their delivery. Three'of the aircraft are for the Auckland Aero Club, three for the Manawatu Club, three for the New Plymouth Club, and three for the Hawke’s Bay Club.