BUSMEN AS AIRMEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20967, 2 September 1931, Page 11

BUSMEN AS AIRMEN.

FORMATION OF CLUB. FIFTEEN HUNDRED MEMBERS. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. I LONDON, July 23. London busmen have taken the lead among British working men in forming a flying club. Out of 27.000 employees of the London General Omnibus Company, 1500 have enrolled as flying members and the club's first machine has begun instructional work at Broxbourne. The new club will shortly hold an official opening meeting, when it is hoped that at least one club-trained member will be able to fly solo. Finance of tho organisation, naturally the chief difficulty, was decided after careful examination of costs on the basis of a {subscription of sixpence a week from all members, and flying charges of five shilling an hour. These moderate fees should! enable the club to run at least two aeroplanes and to secure the services of an instructor, a ground engineer, aerodrome accommodation and a clubhouse. Problems of travel to and from the aerodrome will be met ultimately by tho establishment of a second centre in the south-west for members living on the other side of the capital. Driver Godwin, of East Ham, is the' leading spirit of the busmen's club. He initiated interest some time ago by arranging for parties of busmen to take joyrides in a big air liner and for a few of them to have trial instructional flights. In a few years' time he may be regarded as the founder of one of the most important movements in private flying. Where tho bus drivers and conductors (i.ive led, other working men will surely fellow.