CIVIL AVIATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 13 April 1934, Page 7

CIVIL AVIATION

VISIT BY ENGINEER INVESTIGATION OF QUARANTINE RESERVE SITEDUTY OF LOCAL BODIES REGARDING AIRPORTS T he result of a visit to Nelson by AH' A. E. Gibson, A.M.1.C.E., the engineer appointed by the Government to inspect and report on suitable sites loi aerodromes in various parts of t.ie Dominion, was lhe suggestion oi the possibilities offered by the Quarantine Reserve at Stoke. . , During his visit Mr Gibson inspected the Stone, (present aerodrome), lalmliauui, and Wakapuaka sites on land and from the air, and on looking l°i other suitably situated ground at a distance from hills and easy ol access from, the air, had selected as an area with possibilities the Quarantine Reserve, with the addition of a piece of adjoining freehold. Although lie had not had an opportunity oi inspecting the flatter from the ground in order to judge it from an engineering viewpoint, he suggested to a meeting of the Nelson i 10vincial Progress League, members or the Nelson Aero Club and others inlciosted yesterday afternoon at the Institute, that the area should be investigated. , Mr F. I. Ledger, president oi the Progress League presided at the meeting, tlie attendance at whic-h at very short notice indicated the interest being taken in matters concerning aviation m Nelson. ESTABLISHMENT OF MUNICIPAL AIRPORTS

In addressing the meeting Mr Gibson said he had inspected the grounds mentioned above, but at the present tune he was unable'to make any definite recommendation, or to state the relative merits of the grounds, owing to his not having had time to complete investigations. There would be a lack of foresight lie considered, if Nelson did not take advantage of the assistance the Government was at present offering m ports. As far as he could see the provision of an aerodrome in Nelson had been left to thy Aero Club. Many towns, and even the smaller ones were embarking on schemes for the provision of accommodation for aeroplanes. It would be a matter of importance to the Nelson district when civil aviation became a vital matter in transport. Speaking generally on airports the engineer said the areas had to be suitable for us e in any weather and situated as far as possible irom hills. It was preferable to obtain a ground cheap in cost from the commencement. The improvements effected on a temporary ground may bo lost when, a transference was made to the'one, which would ultimately serve as the municipal aerodrome. He pointed out that at present aerodrome formation work could be done by unemployed labour, the local body supplying only the tools and necessary materials, ami such work would be useful as it-would be providing a permanent asset. QUESTIONS ANSWERED In answer to questions Air Gibson said the operation of seaplanes commercially could not compete with ordinary aeroplanes owing to the comparative large amount of overhead costs caused bv the hangar accommodation required and the launching and handling of such machines. Local bodies were empowered by law to spend money on aerodromes. It would be many years before a local body could expect to gain revenue to compensate for its expenditure on an airport, but the future bad to be provided for. The speaker continued that it was usual for the local bodies to provide aerodromes, hot the aero clubs. If the clubs were allowed to develop the grounds now it may not be in the interests of the local authorities later on to have the control of sucli areas in private hands. The class of ground Nelson should have become interested in was one which would accommodate all internal aviation. In regard to autogiros requiring smaller areas for landing purposes, that class of machine had structural limitations on account of tije strength of the light, materials which could be used. Although wonderful progress had been made in the development of the autogiro, there was a long way to go before the efficiency ol the present ordinary aeroplanes would be reached. Reference was made by several ot those present to the provision of a suitable aerodrome by the MoLueka Borough Council. CLUB’S DUTY TO ENCOURAGE AVIATION

Mr N. M. McLaren, secretary of the Nelson Aero Club said there was a general misconception in regard to aero clubs. People were prone to look on them as sports bodies, such as a football club, but an aero club's main objective was to encourage the development of aviation and to have pilots trained. It could not become a sports body until the aerodrome was taken over by the public. As far as the Nelson Club was concerned the time bad come when it could not go on spending its members’ subscriptions and other income in providing a ground, which should, lie considered, even now be carried on by the local bodies. Mr F. W. Huggins said be thought the time had arrived when Nelson should have the possibilities of such an area as the Quarantine Reserve investigated. Mr Gibson, in answer to a question said he was sure if the engineering difficulties (which ho. had not inspected) were not too great, the Quarantine site was the Host from an aerial point of view. However, he thought the local bodies should help the aero club with the maintenance of the present ground in the meantime. Dr. J. P. S. Jamieson, President of the Nelson Aero Club pointed out that bis club bad been working with the idea of creating public interest in civil aviation, which in the near future would be an important matter in New Zealand and in Nelson. Little flat land was available in Nelson, and following Mr Gibson’s visit further investigations would be made into the matter of the most .suitable area for an airport, and the Aero Club would ask local bodies to provide a ground. Tn moving a vote of thanks to Mr Gibson, Mr IT. R, Duncan, ex-president of (be Aero Club said be agreed it should not be the duty o!' ihe club to provide a ground and the club would have lo ask for help in this matter. In concluding the meeting the chair man said bo took it that the next step was to apply to the Public Works Dis trict Engineer to have, the suggested site investigated