AERO CLUB PAGEANT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20536, 10 April 1930, Page 13

AERO CLUB PAGEANT.

COMPETITIONS AT HAWERA.

EXCITING AEROBATICS.

WIND PRESENTS DIFFICULTIES.

[by telegraph.—tress association.] HAWERA, Wednesday.

The first air pageant to bo held in Taranaki .took place to-day, under the auspices of tho Hawera Aero Club, at the Egmont racecourse. Between 600 and 700 people were on the grounds while further larger numbers viewed the events from other points of vantngo in the vicinity. Ten aeroplanes were present, representing Canterbury, Marlborough, Wellington, New Plymouth, Hamilton and Auckland.

Fine weather favoured tho opening of tho programme at 2 p.m., but light showers were experienced from 3 p.m. onwards. A stiff northerly breeze, which rose in occasional gusts, also presented difficulties to tho pilots. Commencing with a massed parade, the programmo consisted of features including the Egmont Air Cup race, formation flying, bombing, and a parachute descent by a dummy. Captain MacGregor, of Hamilton, provided a succession of thrills for tho crowd with an exhibition of aerial acrobatics and upside down flying. He also appeared with Fljght-Lieutenant Buckley, of the New Zealand Air Force, in an aerial battle. Othei; pilots who competed were:—Miss Aroha Clifford, Christchurch, Captain Wallingford, Auckland, Flying-Officer Keith, New Plymouth, Miss P. Bennett and Mr. F. R. Dix, Blenheim, Captain J. Mercer, Christchurch, Captain G. Stedman, Wellington, and Pilot-Officer J. Buckeridge, Christchurch. Flight-Lieuten-ant Burrell, of the New Zealand Air Force, officiated as judge and did not fly his Moth, which was piloted by Mr. Buckeridge. The latter also flew a D.H. 50. Tho competitive events resulted:— Landing Contest. —Captain MacGregor, 1; Flight-Lieutenant Buckley, 2. Five competed. Balloon Bursting.—Flying-Officer Keith. Five competed. Bombing.—Pilot-Officer Buckeridge, 1; Captain Mercer, 2. Four competed. Egmont Air Cup, 6 miles.—First heat: Captain MacGregor, 1; Captain Mercer, 2; Miss Bennett, 3. The only starters. Second heat: Captain Stedman, 1: Mr. F. R. Dix, 2; Flying-Officer Keith, 3. Also started: Miss Clifford. Third heat: FlightLieutenant Buckley, 1; Captain Wallingford, 2; Pilot-Officer Buckeridge, 3. The only starters. Final: Captain MacGregor, 1; Flight-Lieutenant Buckley, 2; Captain' Stedman, 3. It was a thrilling finish.

DISPLAY AT EOTOEUA.

PREPARATION OF GROUND,

[Br TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] ROTORUA, Wednesday.

No effort is being spared to have the site of the Rotorua aerodrome in good order for the pageant which will be held at Easter. As the work proceeds the ground is promising better than was expected. An area sufficiently large for seven or more machines to manoeuvre at one time is being prepared. An extensive programme is being prepared by the local Aero Club, and as this is the first display of this character in Rotorua it is creating great interest in the district.