LIGHT AEROPLANE CLUB.

Otago Witness, Issue 3862, 20 March 1928, Page 79

LIGHT AEROPLANE CLUB.

FORMATION IN CHRISTCHURCH.

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROMISED.

CHRISTCHURCH, March 14. A definite assurance that the Government would assist financially in the foundation in Christchurch of a light airplane club similar to the many that already exist in England and other parts of the Empire was given by the Prime Minister (Mr J. G. Coates) last evening. Presumably the promised Government assistance will be given on much the same lines as has been done in England and the other dominions. The usual arrangement is for the Government to supply the club with at least one machine costing about £7OO, and to pay a sum which varies from £2O to £5O for every member who gains his “ ticket.’’ There are now well over a dozen frying clubs in England and Scotland, and their number is increasing all jjhe tune with large rolls of members. Almost another dozen flying clubs are scattered among Canada, Africa, and Australia, while at Singapore the first light seaplane chib in the world has fust commenced operations. Most of the clubs standardise on De Haviland “ Moths,” similar to the one which Mr D. Mill, of Auckland, recently brought from England, though Avro “ Avrians,” Westland “ Widgeons,’’ and Blackburn “ Bluebirds” are also used. All these machines would cost less than £lOOO to land in New Zealand, and all have a petrol consumption of about 20 miles to the gallon. It is stated by persons interested that steps to form a Christchurch flying club will be taken very shortly.