AERO CLUB FUTURE OPERATIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26176, 12 June 1946, Page 8

AERO CLUB

FUTURE OPERATIONS

GOVERNMENT LEAD AWAITED A comprehensive review of the position of aero clubs to-day and the difficulties with which they are faced was given by the president, Mr J. S. Skinner, at the annual meeting of the Otago Aero Club, which was held last night. Mr Skinner presided over a large attendance of members in the University Club rooms. “At the beginning of hostilities the total assets of the club, comprising planes, tools and equipment, and even club furniture, together with hangar accommodation and aerodrome, were taken over by the Government and from that date the club was virtually in recess." said Mr Skinner, in moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet. “ During the past year active preparations for the resumption

of flying were set in hand. The transition period has not been without its problems in regard to the policy the club should adopt in relation to the purchase of planes, the price it should pay, the number it should acquire, etc. We have considered it our duty to provide for those who have been discharged from the air force the amenities of civilian flying, so that they may retain their interest, and, what is equally important, that we may provide for the young man in his teens the opportunity to learn to fly and acquire the elementary instruction in aeronautics that is essential in this age of progress in air transport" No aero club in New Zealand to-day could say what relation its actual charges for flying would bear to the costs, Mr Skinner added. His personal opinion was that the charges made by the club would be far short of actual cost, but this would naturally vary according to the number of hours flown per machine, general overhead, the freedom from accidents, etc. On the other hand, the executive realise that it must fix a charge within reach of its younger members, otherwise the aims of the club Would be defeated and those adversely affected would bcthe ones most deserving of consideration.

It had to be borne in mind, however that operating costs were to-day much heavier than they were before the war. This was a reality which must be faced, more particularly now that aero clubs had been deprived of one of their means of income and one that must have been an ever-increasing one—namely, air taxi work. Government Policy

“ Undoubtedly the greatest handicap under which aero clubs labour at the present time is in the lack of knowledge of Government policy," Mr Skinner said. “The Royal New Zealand Aero Club pressed the Government through the Air Department and the Minister of Defence long before even the cessation of hostilities in. Europe for a clear enunciation of policy in respect of future operations of aero clubs, but up to the present no statement of one has been forthcoming. Before the war the main source of revenue of this club, apart from members’ subscriptions, was in the form of subsidy and payment for the ab initio training of pilots. This to-day is not available, and nothing has been substituted for it.

“ The Australian Government in its post-war plans is paying aero clubs not only a /subsidy for each person qualifying for a licence, but also for a renewal of those licences, and a sum for each training aircraft that has completed a prescribed number of hours. Nor is that the only assistance that is being given. We would regret to think that the usefulness of aero clubs in New Zealand will not be recognised by the proper authorities in due course, and we can only attribute in the meantime the dilatoriness in the declaration of policy to the inevitable delay that is associated with the taking over of a private enterprise, and, as at present is the case, linking what is now known as the National Airways Corporation with party policy. Just as soon as we are advised of the Government’s intentions, and not til] then, will aero clubs be able to frame their own policy and plan and budget accordingly. “ Failing a straight-out subsidy to clubs. I would suggest two means by which assistance to them could be granted—first, in the servicing of club planes at a purely nominal cost, since many clubs will not be in a position to employ a fully-qualified technical staff, and in most cases their grounds will be alongside or adjacent to the grounds of the R.N.Z.A.F. or the N.A.C. Secondly, clubs could be assisted by the gift or loan of modern types of training planes. The work of the aero clubs has not been for personal gain, and more than ever in the future it will be directed towards educating the public and in particular the youth of the country in matters aeronautical. If New Zealand is to keep abreast of the times, this is essential, and there will be no organisation better fitted to do it than the aero club movement. We may feel justified, therefore, in asking for assistance from the public purse so long as ,we play our part.” New Members Wanted The present financial position of the club was very good, said Mr H. I. Sinclair, seconding the motion for the adoption of the report, but, with active flying resumed and salaries to be paid, it would be necessary to increase the membership substantially if the finances were going to be maintained. At present there were 268 flying and associate members, but if the club could achieve its objective of 1000 associate members it would be well on the way to meeting its overhead, especially in the way of salaries. Mr Ivan Penrose said the Tiger Moth planes had been bought from the Government at £450 each, which was a very reasonable price for machines with a certificate of airworthiness for 12 months. “I think we should go for a subsidy,” said Mr P. G. Connolly, MP “ Pilots will have to be trained for the expandihg air services of the future, and I think the best place for the initial training is in the aero club. Concerning the future air policy of New Zealand, it rests with U.N.O. to indicate .what strength of the three services wo will have to contribute. This was discussed in Wellington only the other day. when the Prime Minister. Mr P. Fraser, said that until our commitments in that direction were known the Government was not prepared to embark on anv great expense for the services. But this was election year and he thought an agitation for subsidies might bear some fruit. Office-bearers Office-bearers were elected as follows:—Patron, Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park; president, Mr H. I. Sinclair; immediate past president, Mr J. S. Skinner; vice-president, Mr I. H Penrose; executive—Messrs W. F. Forrester, H. C. Harford, H. L Paterson. W. H. Shepherd, H. L. Longbottom. M. S. Myers. K W. Stewart and the City Council representatives, Crs P. G. Connolly, M.P., and R. F. Barr; auditor, Mr R. J. Cook: secretary Mr H. H. Parata. Warm appreciation was expressed by

several speakers of the service given by Mr Cook as secretary over the pasi few years. Address By Wing Commander Kofoed At the conclusion of the business of the meeting, an address on his wartime experiences was given by Wing Commander W Kofoed. former commanding officer of the Taieri R.N.Z.A.F. station.