WARNING ISSUED

Southland Times, Issue 21263, 9 December 1930, Page 5

WARNING ISSUED

DIRECTOR OF AIR SERVICES. UNQUALIFIED BUILDERS OF AEROPLANES. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, December 8. The danger of unqualified [>eople building aeroplanes and machines and attempting to fly them and carrying passengers was stressed by the Director of Air Services (Wing-Commander S. Grant Dalton) today. In the event of a fatality occurring he stated, the pilot would be faced with serious legal consequences. ‘There is no reason why enthusiasts should not endeavour to improve the design and efficiency of the modern aeroplane” he declared, “but personally I consider it is waste of time unless both the designer and the constructor are technically qaulified for the task. I would state to those concerned that until their aircraft, has been granted a certificate of airworthiness it is illegal to fly more than three miles from a licensed aerodrome and that no passengers can be carried in an experimental machine. As a locally built machine it must also be inspected during construction before an airworthiness certificate can be granted. I would advise persons who are contemplating this work to let the Defence Department know before committing themselves to serious expense. "Luckily the wing fell off before the machine left the ground,” he said, when referring to two Auckland men, who, last week, had attempted a take-off in a machine which they had built. “Had the wing come off while the machine was in the air the pilot, had he lived, might have had to face serious legal consequences.”