FORMATION FLYING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21333, 7 November 1932, Page 11

FORMATION FLYING

CONTEST AT MANGERE AUCKLAND CLUB PILOTS EVENT IN GUSTY BREEZE g A stiff, gusty breeze created difficult conditions for pilots of the Auckland Aero Club taking part in the fifth contest for the Thorne Trophy for formation flylnß' a tlle Mangere aerodrome yesterday afternoon. Five teams took part, there being three pilots in each team. The winners were Mr. R. A. Kirkup (leader), Mr. D. Wood and Mr. J. 11. Atwell, who gave a particularly fine performance, and scored 830 points out of a possible of 900. Mr. Kirkup's team has been placed second in each of the four previous contests for the trophy. Good flying was done by Messrs. T Philcox (leader), G. M. Owen and A. McGruer, who scored 812 points and finished second, but the work of the other three teams was not up to the usual standard. The judge, Wing-Commander K. L. Caldwell, said the flying of the teams placed first and second was of a very high order for club-trained pilots, especially when the weather conditions Avere taken into consideration. The other three teams, however, did not make a good showing, probably on account of the weather and the long period that had elapsed since the last contest. In view of the gusty wind, all pilots had been adviscid to adopt wider spacing than usual, and the principal fault was over-keen-ness, which resulted in machines being flown too close in several instances. Each team was required to take off in formation, close up to a uniform spacing, and then turn to the left, flying downwind. They were then obliged to turn to the right, fly up-wind abreast, turn to the left in single-file, and then execute a left turn, finishing in Y formation. Formations were broken up in the air, the machines landing independently. For each manoeuvre there was a maximum of 100 marks, and in some divisions several teams closely approached the possible. The event attracted a large number of members and visitors to the aerodrome. During the afternoon the club's instructor, Flight-Lieutenant D. M. Allan, Rave an entertaining display of aerobatics.