The Aviation World

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21562, 5 August 1933, Page 5 (Supplement)

The Aviation World

AUCKLAND AERO CLUB NEWS BY AILERON A particularly liigh standard of airmanship was revealed by the competitors in the contest for the Caldwell trophy for aerobatics at Mangere aerodrome last week-end. In spite of unfavourable flying weather, it was decided to proceed with the competition, for which live entries had been received.

Competitors, all first-year pilots, were required to carry out stall-turns, to tho right and left, spin first to tho right and then to tho left, do a loop and then a few minutes' free flying. Tho event was judged by Wing-Com-mander K. L. Caldwell, donor of tho trophy, who commented upon the ability shown by all competitors. The winner was Mr. W. J. Sexton, with a total of 202 points, whilo Mr. L. Cadman, who scored 197 points, was second. Other results aro as follows:—Mr. G. E. McKillop, 156 points; Mr. K. ltobinson, 148; and Mr. J. Roberts, 133. An entirely new " stunt," performed inadvertently by Mr. McKillop, has won him something of a reputation among other club pilots. When attempting a stall-turn, the pilot performed an evolution hitherto unknown at Mangere, and which lias, for want of a better name, been styled a " backloop slam." Tho stall-turn was commenced in orthodox fashion, but after tho nose of tho machino had been pulled up spectators \vero startled to see tho Moth fall out of tho turn, turn gracefully on its back, and commence a steep divo, inverted. By some means best known to himself tho pilot recovered his normal flying position, and proceeded to startle the crowd again by spinning from 3000 ft. to about 300.

Two prominent officers of the club, the instructor, Flight-Lieutenant I). M. Allan, and tho secretary, Mr. L. W. Swan, have distinguished themselves recently, the achievements of the one calling for congratulation, and those of ther other for sympathy. The secretary qualified for his "A" licence late last week, and has since being doing solo in Mr. Martin Scott's metal Moth, Kia Ora, while the instructor has not been flying during 'the week, having contracted measles. In tho absence of Mr. Allan ? tho Puss Moth was flown north during the week by Captain J. D. Hewett, with two. passengers. Keen interest was' shown bu tho§o present at the aerodrome on "\Vednesday in tho Western Federated Club's latest acquisition, a recent-model Moth. The machine, which was piloted by Mr. S. Green, Si New Pfymouth, called at Mangero in tho course of a, flight to Whangarei, and was examined by members of tho ground staff. The petrol tank differs from ithe type fitted to earlier models in that the leading-edge is more rounded, while the usual alcohol " bubble " has been replaced by a steel ball damped by alcohol. The machine, which is of metal construction, bears the registration letters ZK-ACZ.

Activities at Mangere The work of rebuilding the club's green Moth was advanced a further stage during the week, when the fuselage was painted. Mechanics were also busy on the engine.' A steel engine cowling has been made for the green Moth, and will be fitted later as an experiment instead of the usual expensive aluminium type. Keen competition is expected to-mor-row in the contest for the trophy presented by the president, Mr. E. R. Boucher, which was postponed from last week. The event, which is open to holders of endorsed "A" licences, has created interest among the majority of pilots qualified to take part, and a high standard of flying is expected. The conditions governing the event are generally similar to those under which firstyear pilots competed last wefek-end, but in view of the greater experience of the competitors in to-morrow's contest, better - performances will be expected, and errora will be treated with greater severity. One of the Western Federated Club's machines was brought to Mangere during the week by Mr. E. F. Harvie, son of the Rev. F. G. Harvie, of Mount Eden, who, was well known at most aerodromes in New Zealand as a member of Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith's ground staff when the Southern Cross was in the Dominion. Mr. Harvie, who learned to fly at New, Plymouth, Baid during the week that he had come to Auckland to take the necessary tests for an endprsement to his "A" licence. As he had not taken advanced dual after doing 25 hours' solo, he was completing 40 hours' solo prior to applying for an endorsement.

Mr. Harvie, who recently established H record by climbing to 18,400 ft. in a Moth at New Plymouth, intends to remain in Auckland until he has qualified for a " B " licence.

In spite of wet and generally unfavourable weather, there was a fair amount of flying at Te liapa last week, according to a report received from the instructor, Flight-Lieutenant W. H. Lett. High winds interfered with flying to a large degree, but, nevertheless, the machine spent 12 hours 30 minutes in tile air. The total was made up as follows:—Dual, 9 houre 5 minutes; passenger, 1 hour 55 minutes; hire, 55 minutes; test, 30 minutes; solo, 5 minutes. Club machines had flown a total of 6447 hours 30 minutes, up to July 28. For tho week ending on that date, the machines at Auckland had accounted for 26 hours 50 minutes, as follows: Hire, 18 hours 45 minutes: dual, 4 hours 5 minutes; passenger, 2 hours 25 minutes; solo, 45 minutes; test, 50 minutes. The following new members have been elected:—Pupil, Dr. H. Buchanan, Messrs. It. Mecrcdy and F. K. Burrell; associate, Messrs. W. H. Peek and It. Thomas. MAIL-CARRIER IN FLIGHT Britain's fastest transport aircraft, the Boulton-Paul mail-carrier, made an impressivo showing in demonstration flights recently at. Mouse]iold Aerodrome, Norwich, in England. Ordered by tho Air Ministry about 12 months ago, tho aeroplane promises to far exceed tho official requirements. In its second trial flight it reached a speed of 170 miles an hour with tho engines turning much below their maximum speed of revolution; highest attainable speed is expected to be 197 miles per hour; and normal cruising speed at operational height of 5000 ft, 172-175 miles per hour. Two pilots sit in a totally-enclosed cockpit, equipped with complete dual flying controls. Next aft is a roomy chart room containing stowage for maps and charts, a folding table at which tho navigator may sit to work out his calculations, stowage for navigational instruments, and a ]K>werful radio sending and receiving apparatus. Observers on tho aerodrome 2000 ft. below could distinguish little noise except a thrilling, Irigh-pitched whistle of wind through streamlined .wires—this serving to disguise its real speed. But that tho speed is there was made startlingl.v plain when tho mail-carrier, ambling through the sky at its normal easy cruising rate of some 170 miles per hour, passed two light aeroplanes making good about 90 miles an hour, as if they were standing still. When the r.eroplaim lias been put through all of its official test flights it will probably be handed over to lin-* perial Airways for a series of high-speed experimental runs over the Empire air routes. Its most spectacular demonstration is' likely to be a flight to Australia, which it should reach with easo in less than a week.

In seven hours' cruising the craft could reach any country in Europe from London, excepting only Greece and Turkey, which would demand another hour or so. . ■ ■