The Aviation World
BY AILERON
AUCKLAND AERO CLUB NEWS
m Next Wednesday the first of the summer season aerial pageants in the Auckland Province will be held at Te Aroha, and machines from both centres of the Auckland' Aero Club will be fiowu there to participate in the display. Unfortunately there will not be a largo number of machines available from Mangcro, as the blue one was damaged at Tauranga and will be out of commission for some time, and the actual time of Mr. E. 11. Boucher's return in the green machine is not vet certain. The ground at To Aroha, on account of the rather rough surface, does not lend itself for landings by the club's Puss Moth, so that at the present time the only machine which can l>e flown there is the red one. The metal " twin " Moths from To Bapa, completo with " spa(s," will bo attending the function, and no doubt there will be quite u number of aircraft from.other places in the province. The next display this month will be lield at Kaikohe on November 22, and it is anticipated that a full flight of machines from Mangere and Te Rapa will make the trip. At Christmas time, the arrangements made by the olub include a visit to Botorua for three days and thcrt a tour of tho Northern district by three machines with tho intention of increasing the air-minded-ness of the populace in that aistrict. Judging by tho reception accorded the chief instructor, Flight-Lieutenant D. M. Allan and..Mr. F. B. Cadman, at a little-frequented place in tho Far North, the tour should be as adventurous as it is interesting. Their arrival was the signal for an excited charge by a largo number of Maoris, headed by an imposing 0110 carrying a sheath knife. The instructor inquired whether the leader intended to attack them with the knife, but ho replied that ho had only been using it for some domestic purpose and meant no harm. Mishap at Tauranga
It was unfortunate that the blue machine should have been damaged as the result of a mishap at Tauranga just at a time when the demand for the hire of club machines will be increasing. However, the efforts of the ground staff are to be concentrated on getting the machine ready for the occasion of the display at Kaikohe. It appears that the aeroplane had been landed on the beach at the Mount on Tuesday because of tho fact that the ordinary landing-ground on tho sand adjoining the town appeared to bo >ander water from a height of a few hundred feet. This particular place at Tauranga is known for its' deceptive appearance, the wet sand giving the impression when viewed from the air that it is yet covered with water, when actually it is quite safe for a landing. Tho same afternoon .when the pilot was ready to take off on the return flight to Hamilton, the machine was headed along the sloping sands from the direction of Mount Maunganui. It "was noticed tliat smoke from a chimney was rising straight up, indicating that there was no wind. The slope of tho beach made the take-off awkward, and just as the machine was gaining speed a draught of wind from a roadway caught the right wing and canted the machine over on to its side. The left wing and wheel dragged in the water and the aeroplane went right over on to its back, being considerably damaged. Bad Weather on Kaimai Hills
Immediate arrangements were made for the Hamilton instructor, FlightLieutenant' W. H. Lett, to pick up the ground engineer at Mangere, Mr. F. A. N. North, early on Wednesday morning and take him to Tauranga. A landing was made on the beach alongside the damaged machine, which had been dismantled in the meantime, and in the afternoon it was ready for transport by lorry to the railway at Tauranga. Owing to the unfavourable conditions in the afternoon it was not possible to commence the return flight to Hamilton. At dawn the next morning Flight-Lieutenant Lett and Mr. North made an attempt to cross the Kaimai Hills, but as the clouds were lying very low and a strong westerly wind was blowing the pilot decided to fly over the top of the clouds. For this purpose the machine was climbed through a gap in the clouds above Tauranga to a height of 15,000 ft., and the hills were crossed to try and find a corresponding gap on tlie other side. But the indications were adverse to making an attempt to glide down, as thick, black storm clouds could be seen directly underneath, and the quest was abandoned. A landing was made exactly an hour after the flight had been commenced, and so strong was the wind that Mr. »North had to jump out of the machine and use all his weight ou one wing while the pilot taxied the aeroplane to a sheltered spot. On Friday morning the weather had lifted, and Mr. North was landed at Te Rapa in time" to continue his journey by express to Auckland.
The engine of tho second mota-l machine from Te Rapa, ZK-ACC, is at present being overhauled, and the ground engineer, Mr. T. Sheehan, is engaged on the work at Mangere. Tho engine which was in the blue aeroplane at tho time of tho mishap at Tauranga has shown the damaging effects of being immersed in stilt water, as there are indications that tho rust was starting to got a grip on sonic of tho metal parts, particularly the outsides of the cylinders.
New Members Elected The committee is at present considering the advisability of adopting a rate for cross-country flights during which the services of the instructor as passenger could be obtained. This would bo of benefit, to members of tho club not yet experienced in cross-country flights who were anxious to fly on long distances under expert guidance, and at the same time obtain a special rate as compared with that at present in force f<<r dual instruction, Mow menbers elected to tho club are as follows:—Associate, Mrs. 11. B. Morton, Messrs. H. Gibbons, T. W. Doo, N.'W. Yates, L. Collins; pupil, Messrs. J. Athya and E. Tong (Tc Kuiti), Transfers made arc as follows: —Messrs. A. Breckon and C. S. Kensington from associate to pupil membership. The club secretary, Mr. L. W. Swan, the instructor and Mr. Cadinan are to collaborate in the preparation of a report covering suggestions for the Northern tour at Christmas time. A total of 7001 hours 45 minutes has been flown by club machines for %he period ended October 27. At Hamilton a total of 12 hours 55 minutes has been flown, made up as follows: —Dual, 5 hours 15 minutes; solo, 1 hour 25 minutes; hire, 50 minutes; test, 25 minutes; cross-country flights,*s hours. The total time for the week at Mangere is 10 ho'irp 55 minutes l comprising the following'—Dual, 2 hours.2o minutes; hire, 6 hours 15 minutes; passenger, 1 hour 20 minutes;. .test* 30 minutes;,
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21640, 4 November 1933, Page 5 (Supplement)
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1,179The Aviation World New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21640, 4 November 1933, Page 5 (Supplement)
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