AERO ACTIVITIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 76, 31 March 1933, Page 2

AERO ACTIVITIES

WESTERN FEDERATION ; MEETING AT WANGANUI. INQUIRY INTO PIHAMA CRASH. A meeting of the executive of the Western Federated Flying Clubs (N. 1. was held yesterday at Foster’s Hotel, Wanganui. The following members were present: Alessrs A. S. Burgess (chairman), J. A. Franklin, A. F. Sandford. McLean, Cullinane. Simpson, C. Nannon, B. Davies, Strange, W. Walkley, Captain A, A. Gibbons, Flying-Officer I. Keith, A. Salter (groundsman), and S. E. Neilson (secretary). The Defence Department wrote asking the Federation to collect evidence in regard to the accident at Pihama in which Air. Davies was injured and Air. G. Putt was killed, and to hold an enquiry, reporting their decision or opinion. It was decided to send on the evidence taken at the coroner’s enquiry and to refer the matter of an inquiry to the Judicial Committee. Air. (Davies, who attended the meeting, was asked whether he wished to say anything or add anything to tho evidence before it was forwarded to Wellington. He replied that he had nothing further to add, nor did ho wish anything to be altered or refuted. The matter of the Feilding Club’s withdrawal from the Federation on account of its not functioning to any extent at the present time was referred to a committee. Correspondence was received from Defence Headquarters with regard to flights across Cook Straight. It was stated that Rongatai was a compulsory stop on North to South Island flights unless notification was given at Paekakariki. A letter was also received with regard to fire risk when filling aircraft with petrol. The information will be forwarded to the clubs. A letter was received from Headquarters asking for more detailed evidence concerning the recent flying of Alessrs. Stanton and Haybittie who had been penalised for low flying and stunting and flying in an unlicensed aeroplane. It was stated that the pilots had. apparently committed serious and wilful breaches of the regulations and it was a matter for consideration whether their licences should not be cancelled, The secretary reported that he had sent the information. Permission was given to the Wanganui Club to have the Federation ’planes assemble at the airport on April 15 when a club rally will take place. The matter of a flying scholarship was referred to the various clubs to consider an(l report back to the meeting of the executive. A letter was received from F. Norton, Wanganui, asking that he be alto fly the Federation ’planes.— The letter was received and it was decided to adhere to the original decision not to allow Air. Norton to fly the ’planes. The matters of correspondence dealing with he recent accident in which Air. B. Davies was involved and the number of the visits paid by FlyingOfficer Keith to Hawera were taken in committee. *• Air Neilson reported that Stratford was intending to form a club. He understood that they would be able to do so and he had told them that as soon as a suitable ground was available the Federation would send some machines to Stratford for a club afternoon, Ho also said that when the club wa s enrolled as a corporate body a request to be affiliated with the Federation would be received favourab Iy.