The Aviation World

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21580, 26 August 1933, Page 5 (Supplement)

The Aviation World

AUCKLAND AERO CLUB NEWS BY AILERON The latest development from the point of view of recreation for members of the Auckland Aero Club is the formation of a nine-hole golf course on the aerodrome at Mangere. A preliminary examination of tho course was made by tho club captain, Squadron-Leader J. Seabrook, Mr. I. MacEwan, and Mr. E. J. Moss, professional at the Auckland Golf Club, last week-end, and at the last meeting of the committee it •was decided to proceed with the formation of tho course. It is estimated that it will be ready for play in about a month's time. The course is to be laid out round the edge of the aerodrome, at small cost to the club because or the satisfactory nature of the ground, and tho greens, with one exception, will be prepared by cutting and rolling the existing turf. Tho object is to make the course as simple as possible, although the length is rather shorter than the standard requirement. The nine holes will total 2480 yards, and tho bogey score for the course has been fixed at 34. The longest hole is 470 yards, and the shortest 115 yards. The lay-out abounds with sporting features, every advantage being given to the player who is willing to risk a shot across the water. The longer handicap player has every opportunity of placing comparatively safe shots and using his handicap. Only markers and sand boxes will be required for the teeing grounds. Mr. Moss expressed the opinion that the course could be made reasonably playable in a month's time. The holes have been kept as near the edge of the aerodrome as is practical, and it is not considered that flying and golf wiU interfere with one another. Both Palmerstpn North and Wanganui have adopted a similar lay-out on aerodromes with success. Golf Committee Elected

A golf committee has been elected, consisting of the following members: — Messrs. Seabrook, MacEwan, H. J. D. Lambert, L. J. Harley, A. U. Wells, Z. C. Tatton. In connection with the charges for the course it "has been decided that associate members should be charged extra for golf privileges, but there will be no extra cost to pupil or pilot members. Members will be permitted to introduce visitors six times a year to play, at a green fee of Is for nine holes. The application of the club to the Minister of Defence,, Hon. J. G. Cobbe, for allocation of an extra training plane, in order to be better equipped for the development of aviation throughout the whole province, has met with a refusal, although the proposal was sympathetically considered by the Minister. In a reply received by the committee this week, the Minister stated that the Government was opposed to any increase in the present number of subsidised aero clubs in the North Island, it being considered that the interests of aviation would be better served by the operations of a larger club than by the efforts of a number of small clubs to serve their, own centres.

The arguments advanced by the committee of the Auckland Club, coupled with local enthusiasm for flying in other centres in the province, made a strong claim for prior consideration when further aircraft were loaned to the subsidised aero clubs, continued the Minister's letter. It was regretted that the Government did not propose to purchase further aircraft for loan to clubs this year. In view of this reply from the Minister and taking into consideration the present urgent need for additional aircraft by the club, the only alternative remaining is for the club to make its own arrangements if it iri considered that the purchase of a machine is justifiable. The unfavourable exchange operating at the present time makes the importation of aeroplanes from overseas a costly business. Hamilton Branch Activities

At the Hamilton branch, thk week ended August 18 has" been one of considerable activity. The instructor, Flight-Lieutenant W. H. Lett, reports that Tauranga, Te Aroha and Te Kuiti have been visited in the metal machine, and many prospective pupils have been given trial flights. The provision of additional staff at Te Rapa, and the question of the top overhaul to the metal machine, have been discussed by a member of the committee and the instructor, in order to arrive at some decision to assist in the expansion of

tho branch. During that week, a total of 22 hours 55 minutes was flown by the club machine, the time being made up as follows: —Dual, 15 hours 5 minutes; hire, 2 hours 50 minutes; passenger, 4 hours 25 minutes; test, 35 minutes. The eighth contest for the Thorne formation flying trophy, which was last 'held on June 11, has been fixed for September 9. Tho winners in June were, Messrs. G. M. Firth, G. H. Fisher, and K. Robinson. The secretary of the club, Mr. L. W. Swan, obtained an endorsement to his "A" licence this week, and cefebrated the occasion by taking up Mrs. Swan as liie first passenger. It is exactly two mouths since he first commenced _ receiving instruction from Flight-Lieu-tenant D. M. Allan, and to earn an endorsement in that short time speaks well for the abilities of both instructor and pupil. It also gives a good indication of how little time is required by an average business man to learn to flv and to obtain an endorsed "A" licence. New associate members elected to the club are as follows: —Mrs. W. J. Sexton, Miss V. E. Goldie, Mr. C. Gilbertson. Mr. A. H. Milburne has been elected a pupil member. A total of 6565 hours 50 minutes have been flown by the club machines. For the week ended August 18, tho hours flown at Mangere are a3 follows:—Hire, 29 hours 15 minutes; test, 1 hour 10 minutes; passenger, 2 hours. The chief-instructor, Flight-Lieuten--1 ant Allan, after an absence of a month from the aerodrome, due to having contracted measles, has taken up his duties again. Two lady visitors from New Plymouth paid a flying visit to Mangero this •week. Miss E. Parkinson piloted a Western Federated Airways Moth, carrying Miss Hughea as passenger. They returned the following day, calling in at Hamilton en route. Mr. R. A. Kirkup, who recently flew the well-known wrestler, George Walker, to keep a number of engagements in both islands, is carrying out a top overhaul to his Sports Avian, ZK-ACM. , . , A further postponement to the date of the next pupils and pilots' meeting, is announced. The meeting will now be held on September 20, instead of on August 30. AIR UNIVERSITY Pupils of six overseas nationalities are mentioned in the June report of tho Air Service Training School at Hainble, Southampton Water, an establishment which has been styled Britain's " air university," and is attracting students from all over the world. Commander Holm, of the Royal Norwegian Air Force, received instruction in advanced aerobatics and flew several hours in an Arnratroug Whitworth single-seater fighter, one of the fastest radial-engined military aeroplanes in the world. Mr. Manuel Pardo took lessons in fighter aerobatics in a "Siskin" fighter fitted with two cockpits and dual controls. Mr. August Hell, from Germany, qualified for his certificate of proficiency in " blind " flying by instruments alone, without external visipn. These are casual mentions, and are far from covering all of the nationalities which have passed through Hamble in the past twelve months.