AERO CLUB PLANS TO BUY ANOTHER MACHINE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19034, 1 April 1930, Page 7

AERO CLUB PLANS TO BUY ANOTHER MACHINE

EXECUTIVE DISCUSSES COMING PAGEANTS.

The executive of the Aero Club met last evening. Sir Francis Boys presiding over a good attendance.

A letter was received from Mr F. C. Chichester, who made a solo flight from England to Australia, asking the club to put an inscription on the cigarette box which was presented to him.

This was agreed to. After a long discussion the club de cided to order another machine, provided the Government carry out their promise of a gift machine. The secretary (Mr P. R. Climie) reported that the membership of the club was 703, and with nine new members to be elected, the total would be *l2. Outstanding subscriptions were only nineteen guineas, which was considered very satisfactory. Mr D. E. Grigg was selected as the club’s representative to compete for the Auckland “ Iderald ” Cup, which is to be decided at the Auckland Air Pageant, on April 12. The club will send one machine, which will be in charge of Captain J. C. Mercer, to the Hastings Air Pageant (April 5). Hawera Pageant (April 9), and the Auckland Pageant (April 12). Miss Aroha Clifford will also fly her machine to these pageants. The secretary reported that there was a credit, balance in the bank of £BOO Is 9d.

Captain J. C. Mercer (instructor), in his report, stated that thirteen pupils had gained their flying licenses, and fifteen pupils had gone solo. One pupil did not complete his course, and the other went solo only- yesterday morning. By the end of April the instructor hopes to have four or five more soloists. Up to the present thirty-two pupils have had instruction, none of them causing any damage. The machines have flovn approximately 906 hours on 270 days, out of a possible of 333 days. Last month created a record of 105 hours. Mr D. E. Grigg had completed forty hours solo flying, and was now eligible to carry passengers. The machine N.Z.A.Z., which was smashed, had now been rebuilt. The report was adopted.