FLYING ON WEST COAST

Taranaki Daily News, 3 October 1932, Page 11

FLYING ON WEST COAST

progress of federation PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL REPORT. SATISFACTORY YEAR’S WORKING. The second year’s working of the Western Federated (N. 1. Flying Club, incorporating the New (Plymouth, Hawera, Wanganui, Feilding and Marton Aero Clubs, is comprehensively reviewed by the president, Mr. A. 8. Burgess (Wanganui), in his annual report. "The year’s working of the federation has: been most satisfactory, particularly in view of the prevailing general financial ’ depression,’’ states Mr- Burgess. “Revenue has been well maintained, pupils have been particularly keen, and a great deal of advanced flying, crosscountry work, and the more interesting stages of flying have been fostered by the federation. The success of the past year is due, mainly, to the special committee which was set up in the early part of the year to consider proposals regarding the administration, finances, and ' gereral organisation of ' the Federation. This committee consisted of representatives of the five constituent clubs. This committee met in New Plymouth and Palmerston North, and went into the position most exhaustively. It was decided that the federation should carry on its present organisation to May SI, 1903, and certain effective economies were carried out. Salaries of the officers were reduced, and these were accepted by the staff. It is pleasing to note that this did not in any way affect the efficiency of operations of the federation.

“The monthly council meetings were not considered necessary, and it was decided to meet only once a quarter, and conduct the business of the _fede- : ration with an executive committee; consisting of representatives from each club. Most of the business of this committee has been done by telephone, where necessary, and it has only 'been for special business that the whole council have had to meet. This has meant a good deal of saving in travelling, expenses, which was a very costly item in the conduct of the business. It ‘was also decided that each constituent club employ a local ground engineer, provided he had the necessary qualifications to effect minor repairs to federation machines, without the transport of these machines to New 'Plymouth, where the workshop was established. This was tried for some time, but unfortunately was not entirely satisfactory. It -is the opinion of the. council that . the highest efficiency must be maintained with the machines, and even although it may take a little longer to have these machines attended to by the permanent ground engineer, the committee feel that it is,in the best interests of everyone, in the long run, to have these repairs done -by a permanent, ground engineer. TRANSFER OF MACHINES. : “Special forms were compiled for keeping a record of benzine consumption per flying hour for each machine, and benzine jog sheets are now sent in each month. Machines are transferred from aerodrome to aerodrome by the pupils, and by this means the federation obtains revenue, and the pupil obtains experience in cross-country flying at the same time, teaching confidence and reliance. “Arrangements were made for the use of our machines in case of a national emergency or calamity, and these machines were to be made immediately available for use where necessary, together with .the services of the pilot instructor and the selected pilot from each club. “A special committee was set up to report on the' control of cross-country flying and care of machines. A lengthy and comprehensive report was submitted aud adopted by the federation“A reciprocal arrangement with the Auckland Club was arranged, whereby pilots of that club visiting the federation could hire machines' from us; paying the rate of £3 per hour. Similar arrangements were available for our pupils visiting Auckland, under certain conditions, and this has been availed of in certain cases. This arrangement is also operating with certain other clubs throughout New Zealand, and it has been found to be of great convenience to everyone concerned. A technical committee was also , set up to deal with crashes, to enquire into these, and recommend their finding to the council. Messrs. Freyberg and Captain Gibbons formed this committee, and have had to enquire into a few cases of breaches of discipline, and non-observ-ance of air regulations. The thanks of the council are due to this committee for the very efficient manner in which they have handled this particular class of business. The crashes suffered by the federation during the year under review have fortunately not been very serious. “During the year the Manawatu Club reported that its committee was of the opinion that they could operate much more satisfactorily on their own account, and after long negotiations the Manawatu Club, withdrew from the federation. The council wishes them every success in their efforts, Unfortunately some difficulty has been experienced in obtaining -settlement of the

amount due by this club, -but it is hoped to' have this matter finally cleared up by. the annual meeting, The temporary instructor, Major'Cowper, who was stationed at Palmerston North, was taken over by the Manawatu Club when they withdrew from the federation, and he is now employed' by that club. “A healthy young chjb has been formed at Marton, and the Marton Club have affiliated as an associate member with the federation. Training is being carried on at that centre, and interest is very keen in this new club._ . “Owing to economic conditions, very little work has been done at Feilding, and the committee recommends that some special effort be made to assist this club in creating and, fostering "air mindedness” in that district. This matter is receiving the consideration of the committee, and it is hoped that in the very hear future a number of pupils will commence training. “Consequent on the withdrawal of the Manawatu Club and admission of the Marton Club, as an associate club, it is necessary to amend the federation rules to provide for this special membership, and to overcome certain anomalies which had arisen and which could not have been foreseen when the original rules were adopted. The thanks of the committee are due to Mr. Freyberg for his work in this direction.

PAGEANTS AND CLUB FUNCTIONS.

’The congratulations of the council are extended to the Wanganui Chib on the successful conduct of the North Island Official Air pageant which was allotted to that club. A very large number of machines attended, and the council feel certain that, this function did a great deal for aviation in Wanganui particularly, and the federation in general. At this pageant the federation pupils were successful in winning two of the major events, and the committee’s congratulations arc extended to Mr. Linklater, who won the “Herald Cup, and to Mr. E. Meredith, who won the Cory-Wright Cup for -navigation. It is very pleasing to see that our pupils have competed successfully against the best in New Zealand, and we offer them our sincere congratulations. Ihe Hawera Club also conducted special aviation displays i'ii connection with the Hawera jubilee week, and we understand these' were admirably carried out and very successful. The New Plymouth Club provided an innovation by conducting a residential camp during their aviation week. This was & most successful gathering, attended by approximately 30 pupils, who were housed in the New Plymouth hangar, received advanced instruction and lectures, and altogether had a most interesting time. Thanks are also due to the Air. Defence Department for attending this camp and giving most instructive lectures to the pupils. ' “An inter-change of visits has also been made with the Masterton Club, Auckland Club, and other clubs in the North Island. The thanks of the federation are particularly due to the Auckland Club, who have on several occasions sent their fleet down to the various coiistituent clubs and greatly assisted any function’ at all times. “Flying Officer Keith reports that there are. at present nine “A” Endorsed Pilots, *2O “A” Pilots, and 23 solo pupils in.the federation. The number of hours flown by the four machines for I*2 months, ended May 31, 1932, is 1104 hours 20 minutes, and the total flying time since the federation commenced operations is 1898 hours 20 minutes. PLANT IN GOOD ORDER. ‘‘The -council is particularly' pleased with the very satisfactory condition in which the four machines are kepi, and it is pleasing to report’ that there has not been any accident or failing, whatsoever, of the engine dr the machines. The council desires to record its‘ appreciation of the very efficient work of the ground engineer, Mr. A. Salter. The report from the examining officer : of the Defence Department on the occasion of the annual inspection for airworthiness of the machines was excellent,, and hestated that the club’s machines were the best that he had inspected in New Zealand. The council’s appreciation is also due to Flying Officer Keith for th,e very careful and efficient manner in which he handles the machines, and -also his careful supervision to see that pupils, in all cases, are careful with the club’s property. During the year a set of air wheels was ordered for one machine, and a further set has now. been ordered- for one of the other machines.

“The New Zealand Aero Club has approved of the club colours of royal blue and gold. - “The congratulations of this club are extended to the New Zealand Aero Club in the amount of work, which it is .doing in the interest of aviation in New Zealand. A great deal of work is being done by this executive body, and there is now a general feeling that the parent club speaks with a united voice for all the aero clubs in New Zealand. Special recognition has been given by the Defence Department, and our best wishes are extended to the parent club for its continued success. BOUNDARIES ALLOTTED. “During the year the boundaries of the constitutent clubs of the New Zealand Aero Club were allotted, and the boundaries of the federation extend from the Mokau River in the north to a few miles south of Levin in the south.

“It has not been necessary to make any further levy on the constitutent ■clubs, and altogether the whole of the accounts are most satisfactory. “The council has had to discipline a few pupils during the year for carelessness, and breaches of air regulations. This is a very serious matter, and it is hoped that all pupils in the' future will pay due respect to the air regulations, which are framed by the authorities for safety of flying. These breaches of discipline have occurred, in most cases, not through wilfulness, but through over-abundance of spirit, or possibly thoughtlessness. However, the special committee has impressed on all delinquents: tile seriousness of the offences, and this has been brought home to all the pupils of the federation. It is very pleasing to record the harmony and club spirit which exists between the whole Of the clubs of the federation, and between the pupils of ilia: constituent Clubs.

“It is with deep regret.that we have to record the transfer of Mr. C. Freyberg from Hawera to Palmerston North, ana to the loss of his services to the

federation. It is hoped that he may, at some future date, be able to again link up with tho council and that we shall again .have the use of his. very splendid , services. His long experience of flying,’ and administrative experience, has been of the utmost value to the council, and it is not possible, in these few words, to express the debt and gratitude we owe ‘ him for the work which he. has put in, in the interests of the federation. “Our congratulations are extended to Mr. G. M. Spence, a member of thH council, on being elected president of the New Zealand Aero Club, and a tribute is paid to the very efficient work he is putting in on that body in the interests of aviation. The federation is greatly indebted to Squadron Leader T. M. Wilkes, his officers and the Air Department for their assistance, advice and support. The thanks of the federation are due to Mr. B. Sheil, who personally supervised functions in the federation area, and for the loan of a pilot instruction machine. The statement of accounts for the year shows that of the total of £2025 Is 4d instruction fees collected Wanganui contributed £987 10s 9d, New Plymouth £540 10s, Manawatu £323 10s, Hawera ' £159 10s 7d and Feilding £l4. Wanganui contributed £6B 10s 4d in flight fees, New Plymouth £43 19s 3<T and Hawera £ll 10s.