PRIVATE AVIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20330, 11 February 1928, Page 12

PRIVATE AVIATION.

AEROPLANE FOR AUCKLAND. A MOTH TWO-SEATER. A Moth two-seater aeroplane will be brought to .‘r-'Mand by the Mataroa at the end hi thia month for Mr D. Mill, of Remuera, a well-known motorist, who has been touring and flying recently in England and oh the Continent. It is hoped by local enthusiasts that the machine will stimulate interest in private aviation, and form the nucleus of an active aero club. Mr Mill’s aeroplane is fitted with an Eagle survey camera for observation work. Captain L. Isitt, of the New Zealand Air Force, who has been training in England, and Mr Mill flew a Moth across Europe to Venice at the end of last year to witness the Schneider Cup race. New Zealand is one of the few parts of the world untouched by the private aviation movement. Moth aeroplanes are found, even in Asia, and similar ultra-light two-seaters are also gaining in popularity. The De Haviland Moth was the first cheap, thoroughly developed and practical light aeroplane. The first Moth flew in February, 1925. To-day these machines are being produced at the rate of four a week, and orders cannot be overtaken until next April. The cost of a completely-equipped Moth two-seater in England is £73o—little more than the price of a good motor car. A Moth seaplane costs £llsO. Since their introduction three years ago, Moth ’planes in aU of the world have covered over 2,000,000 miles. Nearly 40 of these machines are in use in Australia. Most of them are engaged in commercial work, but several are owned by private members of the aero clubs Canadian aviators are using o 0 Moths and about 18 are flying in Africa. The light machines have proved very useful for forestry patrol work in Manitoba and Ontario. The Moth is fitted with a four-cylinder 30-80 horse-power air-cooled engine. A maximum speed of 100 miles an hour is guaranteed with 2001 b of baggage and fuel for four and a-half hours, in addition to the pilot and passenger. Fuel consumption is claimed to be 20 miles a aallon. The machines can land at au miles an hour and climb 650 ft in one minute. A Moth two-seater holds the world’s light aeroplane altitude record of 17,289 ft. _____