CIVIL AVIATION REVIEW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20640, 12 August 1930, Page 10

CIVIL AVIATION REVIEW.

PROGRESS AND PROBLEMS.

ACTIVITIES OF AERO CLUBS. I"BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] "WELLINGTON, Monday. The development of civil aviation in New Zealand has been retarded by the cost of providing adequate ground organisation and the difficulty experienced in selecting suitable landing grounds, says Major-General R. Young in the annual report on the Dominion's defence forces. Local bodies throughout the Dominion, however, now realise their responsibilities in this direction and are. making strenuous efforts to provide suitable aerodromes in their own districts. Selected areas on possible air line routes are being constantly examined and classified by air force officers.

At present there are in the Dominion, apart from the two air force stations, seven aerodromes licensed for the use of light aeroplanes and twelve others in various' stages of development. There are 14 aero clubs, of which seven are actively training pilots. Some of these clubs have provided their own aeroplanes. Others intend to obtain pilot-instruction by arrangement with stronger clubs or commercial firms. Five of these clubs, the Auckland, Hawke's Bay and East Coast, Wellington, Marlborough and Canterbury Aero Clubs, have been approved by the Government for purposes of the subsidy, and each club except Wellington has received two .Moth aeroplanes, making a total of nine Government aeroplanes on loan to clubs. The Wellington Aoro Club will receive a second machine when the club has made further progress. It is not possible to subsidise all clubs which apply for Government assistance, and the present intention is to recommend a total of seven aero clubs for the Government

grant. Since the inception of the aero clubs 76 members have received pilot-training and have qualified for their flying certificates. During the past year three Moth aeroplanes seriously damaged during pupil instruction' have been completely rebuilt at the Wigram aerodrome at the Government's expense. Tho five clubs subsidised by tho Government have held air pageants with the object of raising funds and fostering the air sense of tho general public. In each case three of four service machines piloted by Air Force officers have participated. As yet, no civil air lines have commenced operations in the Dominion. Two companies, the Goodwin Chichester Aviation Company and tho Hamilton Airways, Limited, have been engaged for tho past 18 months in aerial taxi work.