AIR DISPLAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27081, 16 May 1949, Page 6

AIR DISPLAY

SAILPLANE IN FLIGHT ATTRACTION AT TAIERI The flights by a sailplane on tow behind a Tiger Moth over the city last week had apparently piqued public curiosity, for several thousand people spent the afternoon at Taieri airport yesterday when sailplane flights were one of the aerial entertainments offered. The graceful lines of the sailplane, piloted by Mr Arthur Hardinge, and its noiseless soaring over the field were in marked contrast to the constant roar of more orthodox aircraft' during the afternoon.

The sailplane made three flights, being towed to about 2500 ft behind a Tiger Moth before casting off on eacr. occasion. The degree of control possible in engineless flight was amply demonstrated by its display of mild aerobatics. For aerial thrills, however, the “ crazy flying ” display by the Otago Aero Club’s instructor, Mr R. G.

Bush, together with Mr .N. Sutherland, would have been hard to better and it was unfortunate that their most extensive performance had to be given late in the afternoon when many oi the crowd had left. It was not possible, however, to carry out such flying while there was so much activity with other aircraft on the field. . A parachute jump was made early in the afternoon, and formation flying was carried out by Mr Bush, with Mr Sutherland and Mr J. Day piloting the other aircraft. To show that the sailplane was not the only aircraft cap able of being handled without the benefit of an engine, a Tiger Moth made a landing with its propeller completely stopped after flying across the .field in an inverted position. Two N.A.C. Dominie aircraft flying under charter to the Otago Aero Club were busy taking passengers on flights over the city, while a Territorial Air Force Harvard and Moths were in constant use.