The Aviation World

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21296, 24 September 1932, Page 5 (Supplement)

The Aviation World

BY ArLEfcON

AUCKLAND AERO CLUB NEWS

Almost ideal weather conditions attracted a large crowd of members and visitors to the Auckland Aero Club's aerodrome at Mangere last Sunday, when all the available machines wore busy throughout practically the whole day. A large number of people spent the afternoon watching the flying, while the Puss Moth was in keen demand for short trips.

Although the flying over the week-end was all in the course of ordinary routine, there were many unrehearsed incidents. One of the latest recruits to go solo and a private owner were both approaching to land at the same time, and good fortune alone prevented a repetition of the regrettable " double landing," which was responsible for damage to two machines at another Auckland aerodrome some months ago. A sudden and unexpected change in the direction of the wind also upset the calculations of several pilots on Sunday | afternoon. Although, strictly according to the rules, pilots should always glance at the wind-sock when approaching; many local men often take it for granted that they may land in the same direction as that in which they took off, particularly when they have been in the air for only a few minutes. Tho change in wind direc- ! tion was so rapid on Sunday that pilots ! watching from tho hangar could not ! understand until they looked at the windj sock, tho exceptional speed at which one 1 of the machines was coming in to land. ! Several machines landed down-wind, and it is reported that a very important peri sonage indeed, transgressed in a similar ; manner, to the huge delight to the asi scmbled pilots. Unfavourable weather conditions in the North Island resulted in several crosscountry flights being abandoned on Saturday. The instructor, Flight-Lieutenant D. M. Allan, set out for Dargaville with two passengers, but soon had to turn back on

account of poor visibility. It had also been intended to send several machines to New

Plymouth, where a rally bad been organised, but just as the pilots were ready to leave it was reported that a gale was blowing, and that the meeting had been postponed for a fortnight.

Activities at Mangere

The metal machine, which has been out

of commission for some months, will prob-

ably bo ready for the air again in about a week's time. Tho ground staff has been engaged intermittently on repairs to the metal Moth for some time past, and the reconstruction work has now been completed, only the assembling remaining to be done. Work is also in progress on the blue machine, a longeron being replaced as a precaution. The ill-fated glider, Nimbus, now a heap of wreckage, is still lying in the hangar, while the Comper, minus its wheels, is also stored in a corner.

Improvements are still being carried out at the aerodrome. Work is proceeding inside tho hangar, the pilots' and pupils' room being well under way. A fence was erected during the week to prevent members of the public from encroaching on the flying field. In tho past, there has been no barrier to indicate how far visitors may bring their cars, and as a result congestion has been caused unwittingly. Tho fence will serve to keep cars out of the way, without in any way restricting visitors' view of the flying. Up to the present, tho duty of conveying passengers from the hangar to the Puss Moth, and back after their flight, has fallen on members of the committee, whose cars have been used on successive weekends. It has now been decided to leave this work to the pilots' and pupils' section. Taking the passengers across the field in a car saves the Puss from taxiing to the hangar after each flight, and thus losing considerable time. Pilots are showing keen interest in forthcoming competitions. The next contest for the Thorne Trophy has been arranged for nejxt Saturday, while preliminary arrangements for a competition for tho Davis Trophy are in hand. It is proposod to organise a landing competition for the trophy presented by Mr. Ernest Davis, who has announced his intention of ordering a cup from England. Although nothing has been heard concerning the activities of the tennis committee it is high time another tennis compotiton for the Robinson Trophy was arranged. Tho first contest created interest among both flying and associate members, the finals being held in conjunction with " aviation week." Advice has been received of a rally to be held at Napier on October 8, and it is possible that one or more of the club's machines will make the trip. The following members have been elected:—Pupil, Mr. V. Del la Yaris; Associate, Miss I. Cortis and Messrs. M. J. O'Connor, A. McKenzio, E. Cortis and L. A. Yates. TRIBULATIONS OP A PASSENGER The long-suffering nature of many aeroplane passengers, particularly the friends of youthful b'jt enthusiastic pilots, was exemplified in striking manner at the Maflgere aerodrome last week-end. One , of the club-trained pilot 3, who holds an endorsed A licence, has had considerable experience of ordinary straight flying, but decided suddenly it was time he learned a few simple aerobatics. He accordingly did 20 minutes' dual with Flight-Lieuten-ant D. M. Allan last Saturday morning, concentrating on loops. On Sunday, eager > to try his skill on somebody else, the " pilot invited a friend for a short flight, and after gaining height proceeded to carry out a sorics of entirely unrehearsed " stunts."

Spectators at the aerodrome were surprised to see the machine falling out of the top of loops, and inquiries from the pilot as to what had been responsible for his erratic movements brought an indignant denial of looping at all. lie maintained stoutly, that he had not fallen out of the loops, but that he had been practising stall turns, having considerately tnl •; up a position over the upper reaches o f , -jo Manukau "in case anything went \s; ilg." The passenger's views of the " stunting " are rather obscure, the chief feeling after the flight being one of profound relief. The instructor, when approached for an opinion, refused to express himself in public, although it. is understood he unburdened his soul to the pilot concerned. BIG-GAME HUNTING Throughout Europe Imperial Airways' oflicials are planning parties in which journeys by airway to the heart of Africa and game-hunting trips thero in motorcars are worked into general travel schemes. l r or example, from Brussels thero begin special hunting trips to the Belgian Congo, which are possible because the out and return journeys by air take less timo than the trip in one direction by surface transport. An expedition lasting 58 days provides 24 days in the very centre of the African game lands, 14 days only being taken up by travelling over a distanco of more than 10,000 miles. The air transport company's arrangements include carriage of guns, revolvers and other hunting gear in the baggage compartments of tlio air liners, and the transport back to Europe by air of the muchprized trophies of the chase.