AERO FEDERATION

Taranaki Daily News, 17 October 1935, Page 2

AERO FEDERATION

LEVY ON CLUBS UNNECESSARY. MEETING HELD AT HAWERA. Though outstanding accounts amounted to £352 15s 2d it would probablynot be necessary to make a levy oh the clubs, said Mr. S. E. Nielson, secretary, at a meeting of the Western. Federated (N. 1. Flying Club at Hawera yesterday. The Government subsidy of £450 would not be available for some months, but it should be possible to raise a bank overdraft to meet the position in the meantime, he said. • Authorisation was given to endeavour to arrange an overdraft or to levy £lOO from each of the clubs if necessary. The total accounts, which amounted to £539 Is 2d, included an account to the Air Survey and Transport Company for £424, it was stated.

It was reported that the proposal to waive renewal fees for licenses was not favoured by the Controller-General, who considered that since motorists paid an annual license fee pilots should do likewise. •

It was decided to take no action for the fitting of fire extinguishers to planes at present. Members considered they would be of little use in the air and pilots would hardly be able to make use of them in the event of a crash.

The present staff arrangements at the New Plymouth aerodrome were‘satisfactory, said Mr. Nielson, and the employment of an extra man would mean considerably less delay in rebuilding planes should crashes eventuate. Without crashes there was plenty of overhauling and maintenance work to keep the men occupied. The federation confirmed the appointment of Mr. C. H. Watson to the aerodrome staff.

Mr. Nielson reported that the Feilding, Levin and Manawatu clubs were incorporated as the Middle Districts Aero Club and would be recognised as such by the department. The New Zealand Aero Club was prepared to recognise them provided the Government granted an increase in th subsidy and allocated extra planes. The adoption of that principle by the Government was considered important, for other groups of clubs might claim to be admitted and in fairness to the existing members the subsidy should be increased on each occasion. '

The federation approved of the Rangitikei River being regarded as the boundary between its territory and that of the Middle Districts Aero Club. The Wanganui Club suggested the purchase of the Miles Hawk machine in which Squadron-Leader M. C. McGregor flew to Australia. It was resolved to advise the club that the federation’s finances would not permit the purchase. Advice was received that the following pilots had secured their A licenses: K. M. Arthur, L. R. Jackson,- E. V. Smith, B. C. Harrington, W. H. Stratton, K. Congreve, M. J. Earle. Flying-Officer lan Keith reported that three more pilots would soon be ready for tests.

Special aircraft service licenses for ZK-AAX and ZK—ABP were forwarded by the Transport Co-ordination Board. Mr. Nielson was congratulated on his re-election as secretary of the New Zealand Aero Club.