AN AERIAL PAGEANT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20228, 12 April 1929, Page 12

AN AERIAL PAGEANT.

THRILLING FLYING DISPLAY.

EIGHT MACHINES ENGAGED.

FIXTURE AT MANGERE GROUND.

A programme of aerial manoeuvres which should provo the most thrilling demonstration yet seen in (ho Dominion has been prepared for the pageant to be held on tho Auckland Aero Club's aerodrome at Mangcro on Saturday, April 20. Eight machines are already assured, and several pilots who performed with particular distinction in tho war will compete. The gathering will be tho first of its kind organised by tho flying clubs of tho Dominion and it should demonstrate tho very healthy piogress which the Auckland organisation has mado during but a few weeks of activo work. Five events have been chosen. The pageant will open with a "fly past" of all machines. A landing competition will then bo held. The competitors will ascend to 1000 ft. and then glide to a landing within a marked circle. The aviator's ideal in this class of contest is to alight, like a feather—a performance which in its most graceful accomplishment is termed "an angel's kiss." Tho aerial derby will bo hold over two laps or 12 miles, the first prize being a cup presented by Mr. A. Koliu.

Five machines, piloted by mombers of tho Auckland Aero Club, will give an exhibition of formation flying. The final event will be the bombing of an ammunition dump. Tho New Zealand Engineers will co-operate in this and two "home" machines will lead an attack against tho bombing machines.