PARACHUTE DESCENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22481, 27 July 1936, Page 12

PARACHUTE DESCENTS

RENEWAL OF LICENCE DISPLAY AT MANGERE Successful parachute descents M'crc made at the Mangere aerodrome yesterday afternoon by Mr. G. W. Sellars, whose licence was renewed by the Aviation Department after both his parachutes were drop-tested and inspected during the week. A fortnight ago Mr. Sellars defended into the Manukau estuary, and all his equipment was saturated. He was advised by the department that no further descents could be made until his parachutes were inspected and foiled airworthy under tests. These were carried out at Hobsonville air base during the week after the parachutes had been cleaned and washed in fresh water. In a letter advising Mr. Sellars that his parachutes had been passed for use, Squadron-Leader L. M. l'sitt, officer commanding the Hobsonville air base, stated that discretion was to be exercised in demonstrations and that no "delayed drops" or descents under unsuitable conditions were to bo undertaken.

"Your licence is granted in order to demonstrate to the public tho safety and reliability of parachutes and, therefore, sensationalism is to bo deprecated," continued the letter. Mr. Sellars said lie was averse to the practice of "delayed drops," which wcro occasionally undertaken by parachutists to give thrills to onlookers. By delaying the pull on the rip-cord which opened the parachute it was possible for a parachutist to convey to spectators the impression that tho equipment had failed to operate. There was only tho slightest of fitful breezes yesterday, when Mr. Sellars made two descents, one from about. 1500 ft. and the other from over 3500 ft. It was not possible make the promised descent from oyer oOOOft. on account of the low "ceiling"—tho rain clouds being well below that altitude. Safe landings were made in both descents, the parachutist coining to earth in a paddock fringing the western end of the aerodrome. Mr. Sellars landed in a clump of broom in his first descent, but tho parachute was undamaged.