NEW AEROPLANES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 13 April 1928, Page 7

NEW AEROPLANES

NONE FOR OTAfiO AERO CLUfI

KEEN DIS A P POINT-MEN"

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DUNKDiN Uiii A,>-ii. ,\ bird without wings :s thi Acid Club, which came into existence carlv in 1927, on the understanding that it would receive the necessary assistance Mom the C.overniiieni. For the past twelve months it has wailed patiently for a sign of official recognition, lull this has not been forthcoming. Instead, members road with dismay last week the aiuiounceinoiil thai ol lour aeroplanes which are to ho made avail nble to aero clubs for training purpose--. iw.i will lie allocated to Christohurch uuil t wo to Auckland.

The present position has arisen, apparently, from the fact lhat some time in 1927 the Covernme.nl issued a state men! in which it undertook to assist private aero clubs, when formed, hv providing each with a machine foi training purposes, and by offering a subsidy for every certificated pilot named by sue!) a c lull. Prior to the appearance of this statement a number of Otago enthusiasts who had heard rumours of Iho move decided to be first on the held, and set out to form a club that would comply with the conditions officially laid down. Tims on 21st January," 1927, the Ofago Aero Club came, into existence, though its orutilisation was no light- task. Ihe club speedily become a sound and perfect Iv 'orthodox body, possessing all the necessary qualifications stated to he necessary in order to secure official recognition and assistance.

The Otago Aero Club has everything necessary to begin private Hying in Duttedin save that very necessary thing, an aeroplane. Since the formation of ihe club very little has been done pending an official move to secure machines which could be made available for private flying, but the hopes of members ran high when il. was learned that eight Moth machines had been ordered by the Oovorn.ment. This news seemed to place a seal of success on the Ofago organisation, and everything appeared lo be panning nut according to anticipations. Then came last- week's announcement that four machines would he available and these would he divided between Cliristchurch and Auckland.

The ma iter is not to be allowed to rest where it is at present, and with ,-i view to obtaining proper recognition, members of the club approached the secretary of the Otago Expansion League to-day and asked for the support of the league in pressing the club's claim for the use of a machine.