The Aviation World.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20988, 26 September 1931, Page 5 (Supplement)

The Aviation World.

AUCKLAND AERO CLUB NEWS. BY AILERON. After the extremely bad weather that prevailed throughout the greater part of last week, a fine week-end was very welcome at the aerodrome, and pilots and their friends turned out in force on Saturday and Sunday. Tho week ended September 18 was one of the, worst in tho history of the club as far as actual flying is concerned, the total flying time being only eight and a-half hours. Many pilots who had planned to make practice flights during the week had been unable to do so on account of the rain, and as a result, when tho week-end broke fine,, tho machines were in great demand. A landing competition 'for club-trained pilots on Saturday afternoon attracted 17 entrants, and was keenly contested. The competition was judged by SquadronLeader J. Seabrook, who expressed himself as well satisfied with the work of most competitors. The winner was Mr. F. B. C'adman, while Mr. G. M. Firth was second, and .Miss G. Peacock, the only lady competitor, put up a particularly good show and finished third. Competitors were required to shut off the engine at 1000 ft., make a three-point landing if possible, and 'finish the run in tlie circle marked on the landing field. Side-slipping was prohibited, and in consequence, finer judgment was required in choosing the correct gliding angle which would enable tho machine to finish within the circle, which looks amply big from the ground, but seems miserably small when viewed by a competitior from 1000 ft. On Sunday, there was a much larger crowd than usual at the aerodrome, and the Puss Moth, which is being stored at Hobsonville while the new hangar is being built, was brought over for the day. It was in great demand for passenger work during the afternoon, over 20 visitors enjoying short flights. Round the Aerodrome. \isitors from other centres have been very few during the winter, but two strange machines visited Mangere last week-end. On Saturday, Flying-Officer lan Keith, the Wanganui Club's instructor, arrived in a club Moth with a passenger, and later took off on the return trip, while on Sunday Mr. M. A. Scott and Mr. S. Blackmore came from Hamilton in a privately-owned , Moth. The machine, which was fitted with " doughnut" wheels, was the first plane thus equipped to be seen at Mangere, and created considerable interest among club pilots. Although it is not very long since the last formation flying contest was held, the teams for the next one have already been chosen. Under the rules of the contest, one pilot from each competing team must retire after each competition, so that a new man can be selected and civen experience in this class of work. The new teams are as follows: —Mr. G. M. Firth (leader), Miss G. Peacock, Mr. D. E. Wood; Mr. E. B. Firth (leader), Mr. E. B. Waters, Mr. J. Atwell; Mr. P. C. Lewis (leader). Mr. G. M. Owen, Mr. T. Philcox; Mr. R. A. Kirkup (leader), Mr. A. McGruer, Mr. G. Fisher. The contest is not scheduled to take place for some time to come, but the teams have been chosen well in advance to give the four teams ample time to practice together. The new hangar is already taking shape, and in addition, another important work was commenced on Wednesday, when levels were taken for two chip tennis courts. The courts will be laid down immediately, between the clubhouse and the new hangar, and will be a welcome addition to the facilities at the club.

.Programme for To-day. There is no particular -fixture for flying members this week-end, but competitions for the model aeroplane section will be held this afternoon. The competitions „ have been arranged in connection with the exhibition of models held at the premises of Milne and Choyce, Limited, during the past week. The exhibition, which included many interesting exhibits apart from the models, attracted a large number of visitors, and prizes, consisting of flights, were offered for the best models on show. The prizewinners will be rewarded this afternoon, after the competitions have revealed the best models. For the convenience of model aeroplane section members who have no means of transport to the aerodrome, arrangements have been made for a number of cars to lie waiting at the entrance to One Tree Hill at two o'clock this afternoon. Members desirous of visiting the aerodrome with their models are requested to assemble in good time to meet the cars. This evening, a dance will be held at the club-house, and another large attendance is expected. The dances, which are held fortnightly, have proved an extremely popular feature with members and their friends. So much so, in fact, that' the attendance has increased to a ablo extent, and a prcposal has been made to raise the subscription in the case of non-members who attend at the invitation of their friends. No decision in this connection has yet been reached, but the matter is receiving the consideration of the executive. Future Events. The executive has decided to hold a picnic on Labour Day in The vicinity of Pukekohe or Tuakau. In addition to flying membors, model enthusiasts will also be invited to attend. It is proposed to make a charge at the gate, and to provide hot water for those who attend the picnic. Inquiries are now being made for a suitable landing ground in the vicinity, and information of any field that could be used conveniently would be appreciated by the committee. It has been found that the middle of the week is not a particularly busy time for dual instruction, and as a result, the committee has decided to leave it to the discretion of the instructor to visit country centres for the purpose of giving passenger flights and obtaining new members. The first centre to be visited will be Onewhero, but the date of the instructor's visit has not yet been fixed. A decision to extend tlie privilege of obtaining concession flights for enrolling new members to model enthusiasts has been reached by the committee. The concession offered varies according to whether the new member is an associate or a pupil, and for the benefit of model section members, it has been decided that the enrolling of two senior model or gliding members, or three juniors shall earn tho same concession as introducing 0110 new associato member of tlio aero club proper. . , Steady progress is being made with the enrolling of members, and the offering of concessions has resulted in many new names being obtained. The following weie elected at "the last meeting of the committee Pupil, Mr A. I. Smith; associates, Messrs. J. Weston, A. Paull, 11. I. Wilkinson, D. E. Gray, and J. H. Rigby. CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT. Some time ago cross-country flights we're regularly made by Auckland Aero Club pupils, but the uncertain weather during the last fow months resulted in this form of training being almost entirely abandoned. Last Monday, thret. machines went to Dargaville for the day, and it is hoped that other cross-country trips to various centres will be made in the near future Flight-Lieutenant D. M. Allan, the instructor, led the formation on Monday, the other two pilots being Miss G. Peacock and Mr. B. Rope. Mr. Allan carried a passenger each way. Conditions were good, and the total time in the air was less than three hours, lhe flight was quite uneventful, very much so according to tho instructor, who bitterly recalled tho fact that he had not had a lunch, with which he bad been credited.