PROGRESS IN AVIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20391, 21 October 1929, Page 13

PROGRESS IN AVIATION.

AUCKLAND CLUB'S EFFORTS.

FUNDS FOR DEVELOPMENT.

ART UNION CLOSES TO-DAY.

Tho development of aviation in Auckland will bo very largely influenced by tho result of tho Aero Club art union, which will close to-day. An air port for Auckland is going to bo an expensivo essential, and tho Auckland Aoro Club aims to give tho local bodies some material encouragement. It is realised by local pilots that if flying wcro kept closely within club bounds tho advantages of aviation would bo denied to a largo section of the' community for somo years.

Air travel has such virtues that it would steadily develop its own nicho in transport systems, but those who have been identified with club flying aro anxious to cut this embryo period as short as possiblo. This involves no gamble, and tho achievements in other countries justify rather ambitious steps in Now Zealand. Within a fow years flying will have made such an impression on tho community that aorodrome organisation will bo accepted without question as a public responsibility. Tho present efforts of tho aero clubs aro very closely concentrated on breaking down tho feeling that flying is a rather exclusive sport which should pay its own way, demanding nothing from tho community and offering no public utility in return. Tho total mileage flown by tho machines of the Auckland Aero Club is already nearly *equal to two circuits of tho globe. Club members aro using light machines on hire for trip 3 which normally would be undertaken by motor-car. Tho club can cito instances in which air travel in the Auckland Province has showed a saving per mile on motor-car hire.

More extensivo usage is, of course, required before substantial reductions can be made. The cost of hiring an aeroplane by the hour is several times that of car hire, but within that hour the aeroplano may cover three, or even four, times the mileago possiblo in a car. Some courage will be required to embark on an aerodrome scheme which will be worthy of Auckland, but the pilots of the aero clubs can sweeping change in the standards of speed and travel within a very few years if ground organisation is accepted as a national duty. /

The Auckland Aero Club has backed its confidence in the growing air sense to tho extent of providing £4OOO in prize money for tho art union now closing. The Auckland City Council is taking a very broad view of its responsibilities in providing aviation facilities, but the club realises that the initial outlay must have tho goodwill of a largo section of tho public.