The Aviation World

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21763, 31 March 1934, Page 5 (Supplement)

The Aviation World

AUCKLAND AERO CLUB NEWS BY AILERON A test of the little biplane, the Tui, built by Mr. F. A. N. North, ground engineer to the Auckland Aero Club, which was carried out. by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith at Mangere aerodrome on Wednesday morning, proved both instructive and amusing for members of the staff and a small gathering of the public at the aerodrome. The manner in which even a light breeze will send the Tui off its course when taxying is well known at Mangere, and other pilots who had previously flown the little biplane, particularly Mr. T. Pethybridge, co-pilot of the Southern Cross, were anxious to see whether Sir Charles would suddenly find the craft doing its best to turn a complete circle. Mr. A. MeGruer, a member of the ground staff at Mangere, who first flew the Tui, and Mr. North, explained the characteristics of the machine to Sir Charles, who " ran up " the motor and commenced to taxi slowly down the field prior to turning for the take-off run. There was considerable speculation as to whether the machine would keep a straight course in taxying, and in the midst of the discussion the Tui suddenly swerved violently, turning a half circle. Mr. Pethybridge and other pilots who had handled the little machine were thus pleased to find that even such a master pilot as Sir Charles was quite unable to prevent the wind taking the Tui off its course, and pointed out with some vigour that the difficulty experienced earlier in taxying was obviously not due to any lack of skill on behalf of the pilot. Tests by Famous Pilot

The Tui took oif easily and climbed rapidly to about oOOit. After doing a little."straight flying to get the feel of the controls, Sir Charles carried out a series of loops and flick-rolls, landing After about a quarter of an hour in the air. He commented favourably on tho stout construction of the machine, the excellent aileron control and the high standard of,workmanship shown. Ho suggested, however, that minor alterations might result in a considerable improvement in the gliding angle. Sir Charles later autographed the Tui's log-book. He said it was almost impossible to compare the machine with the home-made monoplane ho tested in the South Island recently, so different in type were they. Each, however, reflected credit on its builder. Before taking off in the Southern Cross for Niuetv-niile Beach, Sir Charles also carried out a test of one of the Auckland Aero Club's Moths fatted with the Kay " robot The device, which was invented by FlyingOfficer C. E. Kay, of Mangere, is an automatic stabiliser, providing control over rudder, elevator and ailerons. Sir Charles said the device was the best he had tested, with the exception of the expensive equipment fitted to a number of American machines. He added that it was realised that there was a need for some type of stabiliser, and the Kay " robot pilot " appeared to fulfil the requirements amply. The Easter arrangements of the club provide for visits by three machines to Tauranga and Waihi Beach. The Puss Moth, with Flight-Lieutenant D. M. Allan at the controls, and two of the open machines, will take off to-morrow for the Mount, where a display will be given. The Puss will be used largely for passenger flying, while displays of aerobatics will be given during the day. To-morrow night will be spent at Tauranga, and the machines will fly to Waihi Beach on Monday. A second displav will commence at 1 p.m. It likely that one of the Moths will be flown by Mr. E. B. Firth, but the third pilot has yet to be chosen. Mason Trophy Contest A pageant will be held by the Auckland Club at Te Kuiti on April 14. Three machines, including the Puss Moth, will make the trip, and there will be displays of aerobatics and "bombing." Later in the month there will be a similar fixture at Tauranga. The next contest tor the Mason Trophy for cross-country flying will be held on* April 21, when there is likely to be keen competition. The competitors are required to fly from Mangere to Hobsonville, land there and later return to Mangere. Marks are to be awarded from the moment the pilot takes over the machine at the hangar, and attention will be paid by the judges to the manner in which the pilot taxies and takes off. The machine will then be flown to Hobsonville, where the second judge will observe the approach and landing, and later the second take-off. Similarly, on returning to Mangere, the glide-in and landing will be watched. The competition is thus a general test of airmanship and flying ability. The last contest, held at the beginning of October, was won by the late president, Mr. E. R. Boucher, who scored 389 marks. Mr. C. J. Paine was second, being only three points behind the winner, while Mr. L. Cadman finished third. The contest for the Thorne Trophy for formation flying, which was to have been held on April 28, has been postponed indefinitely. This decision was reached by the executive on account of the large' number of activities in the near future. Herald Scholarship Tests Finalists in the Mangere section of the New Zealand Herald Aviation Scholarships offered by the club, will bo given additional tests by Mr. Allan at Mangere next Saturday. There are eight finalists, and each will be instructed in the functions of the various controls, and then given a few minutes in the air. Dual equipment will bo fitted in the machine used, so that the candidates will bo able to take control and allow the instructor to estimate their ability. The second scholarship, open to candidates who enrolled at To Rapa, will not be decided until later, as there are still about 28 applicants to be examined by the Hamilton branch instructor, Flight-Lieutenant W. H. Lett.

The general prospects of the Hamilton branch of the club were discussed at a meeting of the executive during the week. It was decided that two members of the executive should confer with members of the Hamilton advisory committee, concerning the affairs of the branch.

The next meeting of the pilots' and pupils' section of the club will be held at Mangere on April 18. An address on " Safety in Flying" will be given by the club-captain, Squadron-Leader J. Seabrook, and this will be followed by the usual discission that is considered one of the most valuable parts of such meetings. MASTER PILOT'S LICENCE Captain L. A. Walters, one of tho senior Imperial Airways pilots, has recently been granted the master airpilot's certificate. This is the first certificate in the new category established three years ago. The new certificate is granted only to airmen with exceptional experience. The qualifications include the holding of a current B, or commercial pilot's, licence, and an air navigator's licence, both of which must have ben in force for a period of at least five years, and a record of at least 1000 hours as a pilot of civil aircraft during the previous five years. Captain Walters, who is 35, served as an officer in the Dorsetshire Regiment from 191.'> to 1919, when he was transferred to the Royal Air Force, in which he served on the active list to 1922 and in the Reserve of Air Force Officers until 1932. He began piloting cross-Channel air-liners in 1923 and has now flown about /000 hours as a pilot.