LOW-FLYING AIRCRAFT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 1 May 1945, Page 2

LOW-FLYING AIRCRAFT

HELP IN IDENTIFYING OFFENDERS Wellington, This Day. The co-operation of the public in bringin*; to official notice instances of low Hying by aircraft of the Royal New Zealand Air Force is sought by the Air Department. Any such cases may be reported either to the Air Department direct, by letter or telephone, to the nearest Air Force station, or to the police. The department states that the practice may be dangerous to the public, and has been costly in service lives and equipment. Except in bad weather, when a pilot may be forced to fly low, the minimum permissible height for normal flight is 2000 feet. •‘All training aircraft of the R.N.Z. A.F. are painted bright yellow or silver, and have large numbers, in black, under the wing, and also on the side of the fuselage.” the department explains. “These aircraft are in use mainly in the South Island. Operational and transport aircraft, seen more generally in the North Island, have smaller numbers, also in black, on the fuselage near the tail. Some also have large letters painted on the side of (he fuselage.

“Identification will he greatly assisted if observers will endeavour to note and write down at the time the number of the aircraft, the exact time of the low flying, the colour of the aircraft, the number of engines, and whether the .aircraft is a monoplane or a biplane. Altitude may often be estimated by comparing the height of the aircraft with that of some well-known local hill, high building or other landmark.”

It is emphasized that the help of the public is being sought as a safety measure. and in an effort to avoid possible loss of life or injury, and waste of valuable equipment.