DAMAGE TO AEROPLANES

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1931, Page 9

DAMAGE TO AEROPLANES

DISOBEDIENT PUPILS’ LIABILITY.

WANGANUI FIELD ALMOST READY

The question of personal liability in the ease of damage to aeroplanes belonging to the Western Federated (N. 1. Flying Club through the disobedience of' the instructor’s directions by pupil pilots was thoroughly discussed in Feilding on Thursday at a meeting of the federation. It was decided, in the event of proven disobedience, to hold the pupil responsible for the damage incurred.

Mr) A. S. Burgess (Wanganui) presided over NeW Plymouth, Wanganui, Palmerston North and Feilding delegates, apologies being received from Hawcra.

After full investigation by the New Plymouth club and the federation officials it was founds that the accident in which a plane piloted by Mr. Brian Haybittie smashed a portion of the uinderctirriage at the Bell Block aerodrome on January 30, was due to an error of judgme- c rather than the • tutil disobedience of instructions.

The chairman reported that the Wanganui aerodrome would be ready for use in a fortnight. The commodious hangar was almost completed. The chib, said Mr. Burgess, intended to have a. caretaker resident at the aerodrome.

The department is to be requested.to expedite repairs on the machine which was damaged at Feilding. some time ago. This plane is required in order that training operations may be proceeded with at the southern club. Mr. A. J. Salter, Wellington, was appointed to the position of federation ground engineer. Mr. Salter, who will commence duties almost immediately, is stated to be capable of work in connection with the engines and all other machine repairs. His first job will be the repairing of the plane at present laid up in the New Plymouth hangar —ith damaged undercarriage.