AERO CLUB MEMBERS INSPECT MACHINES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18787, 17 June 1929, Page 3

AERO CLUB MEMBERS INSPECT MACHINES.

PASSENGER FLIGHTS GIVEN ON SATURDAY. Members of the Canterbury Aero Club were present in good numbers at the aerodrome at Sockburn on Saturday afternoon, when the series of social gatherings was continued. Earlier in the day the conditions for flying had been bad, and it was not until well alter 2 p.m. that the wind had dropped sufficiently to make the conditions good. For that reason it was tentatively decided early in the day that there would be no flying in the afternoon, a decision that had the effect of causing a number of members to remain away. By about 3 p.m., however, the wind had dropped to a gentle breeze, and as there were a number of members present who were anxious to go into the air i£ was decided to carry on Members filled in the time between their arrival and the commencement of flying in making a close examination of the two Moths in the club’s hangar. Most members were particularly interested in the manner in which the wings folded back, permitting the machines to

be housed in a very small space. Mr P. R. Climie, the club's honorary secretary, was present, and a number of people took advantage of this to join the club. Among those “signed up” were two pupil members.

When it was decided that the conditions had improved sufficiently to permit of flying, a machine was promptly wheeled from the hangar and its wings adjusted. The extending of the wings from the folded to the flying position is an extremely simple and speedy operation, which occupies scarcely the time required to adjust the hood of a motor-car. After the engine had been warmed up for a few moments the machine, under the control of Captain Mercer, the club’s instructor, taxied down the runway, and was soon aloft with its first passenger for the afternoon. After doing half a circuit of the aerodrome, the machine flew over the city, and then returned for the next passenger. Owing to the fact that there was not the same wish for flights as was the case on the opening day, it was possible to make the passenger flights of longer duration than had been the case a week earlier. About a dozen members made flights. With one or two exceptions, it was their first experience of flying, and they were delighted with it. The conditions were good, save that a haze partly obscured distant objects. The conditions aloft were, of course, chilly, but that fact did not prevent the members from thoroughly enjoying their experience