AERODROME SUBSIDIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18687, 17 October 1922, Page 6

AERODROME SUBSIDIES

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, October 16. A schedule of subsidies to the throe do’’ minion aerodromes and a proposal to establish an Officers’ Reserve Force have been announced by the Minister of Defence (the Hon. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes). The subsidies will operate from the beginning of the financial year, April 1, 1922. Immediate steps will be taken to arrange for the formation of an air branch of tho Reserve of Officers vfTHi a view to obtaining ex-R.F. A. officers to undergo a refresher course. It is proposed to refresh 10 seaplane and 24 aeroplane pilots. The new subsidies and tho carrying out of the refresher course by tho companies are temporary measures, and taken for tho present financial year to assist the civil aviation companies by supplementing the revenue earned from civil sources. The size of stall eligible for the subsidy has been provisionally limited, at. each of the three aerodromes to two pilots and four mechanics, and no grants will be paid on personnel in excess of this unless approved. For each pilot holding a certificate and actively employed on the companies’ stall's as such, and who completes at least three hours’ flying per month, the company shall receive a grant of £IBO per annum A grade and £IOB per annum" B grade. For each ground engineer A grade, £l2O per annum; B grade, £B4 per annum; C grade, £6O per annum. For each engineer or rigger machine—A grade, £36 per annum; B grade, £24 per annum; C (apprentices), £lB per annum. Tho companies shall receive a. grant for aircraft owned and maintained in serviceable condition, based on their utility for military service. Machines loaned by the Government will not bo subsidised. The

aircraft arc to lon reclassified and revalued carh year, ami I lie subsidies will be—A class, 25 per cent, of capital value; B class, 15 per cent, of capital value; (J class, 10 per cent, of capital value. _ Seaplanes are to receive 5 per cent, additional. For each licensed aerodrome the company will receive—Companies with freehold or leasehold with five years to run, A grade, £450 per annum; B grade, £360 nor annum ; G grade, £240 per annum. Rented or leased with less than five years to run— A grade, £240 per annum; B grade, £192 per annum; 0 grade. £144 per annum. For each pupil wholly trained by the company qualifying for a pilot s certificate the company shall, subject to the Air Board’s approval, receive—A certihcato, £SO; B certificate, £IOO.