AERIAL ACTIVITY

Taranaki Daily News, 28 April 1930, Page 16

AERIAL ACTIVITY

NEW PLYMOUTH PLANE’S TRIPS. FAST JOURNEY FROM BLENHEIM. A member of the New Plymouth branch of the Bank of New Zealand, Mr. S. Newcomb, who has been transferred' to Auckland, left with Flying Officer lan Keith in the New Plymouth Aero Club’s plane for Auckland on Saturday afternoon at 2.15. It was- fine flying, the conditions being ideal until the Raglan mountains were reached, when a strong head wind was encountered which retarded their progress somewhat, the plane arriving at Auckland at 4.30 p.m. This was Mr. Newcomb’s first flight and the experience, - together with 1 the speedy trip and the comfort enjoyed, was thoroughly appreciated. " On Sunday Flying Officer Keith left the Mangere Aerodrome at 11.15 a.m. for Hamilton, which he reached at noon, landing first at the usual ground and then, owing to a misunderstanding regarding the picking up of his passenger for the return trip, at the Bryout House aerodrome at Te Rapa. This is the first time an aeroplane has used the new aerodrome. Mr. Ken Tompkins, New Plymouth, joined the plane at Te Rapa and the trip to Bell Block began at 2.40, fine weather being experienced until their arrival at New Plymouth. Except for taking off at Te Rapa and landing at Bell Block, Mr. Tompkins, who is an aero club pupil, handled the controls himself, flying the entire distance and using the compass. VISITOR FROM THE SOUTH. A fast flight, direct from Blenheim to Bell Block, was made on Saturday in a Marlborough Aero Club’s plane piloted by Captain Noel Chandler, the club’s instructor, and having as passanger Mr. J. S. Hewlett. The 250 miles were covered in three and a-quarter hours, Captain Chandler leaving Blenheim at 12.30 and reaching Bell Block at 3.45 p.m. Flying conditions were excellent throughout. It is expected that the return journey will be made to-day if the weather has cleared sufficiently.