THE AERIAL PAGEANT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20234, 19 April 1929, Page 12

THE AERIAL PAGEANT.

FIRST MACHINE ARRIVES.

QUICK TRIP FROM HASTINGS

OTHER PLANES ON THE WAY.

The fust aerial visitor for tho pageant to-morrow, tho Hawke's Bay Aero Club's Moth, arrived at the Mangere Aerodrome yesterday after a (light of 2h. 40m. from Hastings. The distance is about 220 miles. Tho machine was piloted by the instructor, Captain T. W. White, who had Mr. G. Field ns passenger. Later tho machine flew to tho Hobsonville Aerodrome.

At 10 aun. yesterday Captain J. L. Findlay left tho Wigram Aerodrome in an Air Force Moth, and later Captain Burrell took off in a Bristol. Both are expected at Hobsonville to-day,

Mr. L. W. Swan, organiser of the pageant, stated yesterday that the Auckland Aero Club was greatly indebted to the Defence Department for assistance and co-operation. The visit of tho two machines authorised by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. T. M. Wilford, would be appreciated by all who attended the pageant. The Defence Department had also given the assistance of the I'ield Engineors in preparing for the bombing display. An isolated promontory had been selected for an ammunition dump and it would bo the scene of spectacular explosions.

NO PARACHUTE ITEM

WITHDRAWN BY THE CLUB

The Auckland Aero Cluli's reason for cutting the parachuting item from its programme at the forthcoming pageant is lhat it was considered that the Moth aeroplane, which was to be used for the purpose, did not lend itself to parachute work, without considerable practice 011 the part of the parachutist. It is impossible to climb along tho wins of a Moth machine, as is frequently dono by parachutists on aeroplanes used for this performance. It was officially stated that the Defence Department expressed no opinion regarding the proposed performance. 'I he item was removed from the programme by the committee of the Aero Club.