TOURING AEROPLANES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20387, 16 October 1929, Page 14

TOURING AEROPLANES.

ARRIVAL AT GISBORNE.

AN INTERESTING JOURNEY.

RETURN FIXED FOR TO-DAY.

[bx telkghapii.—special jiepohteu.] GISBORNE. Tuesday.

The Auckland Aero Club touring machines arrived at Gisborne this morning after a flight of ono hour 20 minutes from Hastings. Tho three aeroplanes took off from tho Hawke's Bay Club's aerodrome at 8.25 a.m. and flew over Napier. Flying in this district is particularly interesting, as a company is at present organising with a view to breaking Gisborno's comparlivo isolation with a rogular aerial service to Napier. Aftor Napier is passed tho coast is. followed, tho boach extending northwards for a few miles, and providing spaco which would bo welcomed by a pilot in an emergency. Then for some* distanco rugged country juts right to tho water's edge. Tho machines fly about half a mile off shore. Travelling over such sections tho obvious thing is to keep within gliding distanco of tho seashore. Flying inland one would find raro level patchos in tho hills, while the coast, although aggrcssivoly rough in these parts, would permit a safe, if wet, landing. A Eainstorm Encountered.

Touring in this way one hardly gives a thought to mechanical failure, but tho pilot instinctively develops tho habit of noticing spots which might afford a haven in fog" or storm. Beyond Waikaro a narrow beach of black sand extends for miles until lost to sight in tho haze. Mohaka is passed at 8.55 a.m., and at 9.5 a.m. Wairoa and its attractive river aro left behind. Inland, at the limit of vision, black clouds can bo seen piling up in tho Motu Hills, and at 9.20 a.m. a rainstorm is encountered.

The pilot endeavours to avoid the unsettled patch, and for a few minutes tho Moth runs on tho edge of tho rain. Tho lino of demarcation of tho squall is quite clear. One wing-tip is brushing the downpour and tho other is in a clear atmosphere. The Moths turn inshore to cross a peninsula, and Gisborne can bo seen 25 miles away until thick conditions obscuro it. Tho hilly country produces frequent bumps in the air, and it is common to run into a downrusli and fall 50ft. in a moment. At 9.35 a.m. tho Moths are enveloped in rain, and for a few minutes Gisborne is blotted out. The landing was mado at 9.45 a.m. on Mr. R. Fisken's private trotting ground, about four miles from tho town. Proposed Aerodrome Site.

Tho visitors were welcomed by the Mayor, and two of the party addressed a conference of local bodies in the conncil chambers. A civic luncheon was held, and tho Auckland airmen inspected an area of about 100 acres which is suggested as an aerodrome. Tho property lies within two miles of the town. It will len'd itself to early Icvolling for light aeroplane facilities, and to economical development for larger machines. The Borough Council is willing to acquire the site if legislative authority is forthcoming, and on condition that other local bodies contribute toward tho developmerttal work.

Thero are nearly a score of aspirant aviators in Gisborne, and .1 number have taken instruction during visits of a, Moth from Hastings. The enthusiasts in Gisborne are anxious to furnish a hangar immediately to tempt more frequent visits from tho Ilawke's I3nv machine. This afternoon tho Auckland machines gavo exhibition flights. If tho weather is favourable the party will return to Auckland to-morrow morning.