AVIATON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 242, 13 October 1936, Page 5

AVIATON

- AERO RALLY MANAWATU PILOTS’ VISIT COMPETITIONS AT AIRPORT The return inter-club landing, bombing and message dropping competitions between teams of pilots from the Wanganui and Manawatu Aero Clubs was held at the Wanganui Airport on Sunday. A strong north-wester!’, wind made flying conditions unconr‘*i-.l L *. ana as a result the standard ’ landing was not as high as that displayed in the Wanganui Club’s monthly competitions. Competition was Keen in all three events. The Wanganui team won the bombing competition by 106 points to 116, the landing competition was drawn, while the Manawatu team won the message dropping competition, scoring 756 points to Wanganui’s 595 points. Results were as follow: Bombing Wanganui.—J. R. Franklin 7 pls, J. Strachan 6, A. Tasker 11, K. Congreve 14, D. Lethbridge 14, M. King 22a, Miss E. Parkinson 31i; total, 106 pts. Manwatu. —M. McLeod Bpts, Short 12, L. McGaflin 13, Chandler 20, Shannon 20i, Penny 21, Lecher 211; total, llGpts. Landing Wanganui.—M. King 2pts, J. R. Franklin 4, Miss E. Parkinson 11, K. Congreve 14, J. Strachan 26, A. i'asker 27; total, 108pts. Manawatu.—Short llpts, L. McGafiin 12, Lecher 16, McLeod 17, Chandler 17, Shannon 17, Penny 18; total, 108pts. Message Droppig Wanganui.—J. R. Franklin 140pts, K. Congreve 129, J. Strachan 110, M. King 100, Miss J. Winstone 64, Miss E. Parkinson 42, A. Tasker —; total, 595pts. Manawatu.—Short 134pts, McGaflin 116, Shannon 116, Lecher 106, McLeod 105, Chandler 94, Penny 85; total, 7a6 pts. The competitions were watched with interest by a large crowd of onlookers. At their conclusion, a display of aerobatics was given by Major L. McGaflin, of the Manawatu Aero Club, in the inverted engined Moth ZK-ABV. A number of passenger flights were made during the afternoon by pupils of the Wanganui Aero Club. FEDERATION CLUB I PAST YEAR REVIEWED INCREASE IN REVENUE SHORTAGE OF MACHINES ‘ Although the club suffered from crashes and the shortage of machines was acute, it is pleasing to report increased enthusiasm and interest oi clubs and pilot members,” stales the annual report of the president of the Western federated (N. 1. Flying Club, Mr. A. S. Burgess. “The loyalty shown to the federation has made its working, on the whole, most satisfactory. Revenue has increased from 12613 to £2711. Flying hours have also increased anu, hau tnere been more machines available, there would have been an even greater increase. “Our flying revenue per flying hour earned incluuing subsidy, compares most favourably with any other club in New Zealand, even with clubs running commercial services at a much higner rate than our training gives us. This points to careful supervision of flying, and full recordings of all kinds. ‘Tne club continued its policy of catering and training pupils without entering into the field of commercial aviation, and this is justified by the extaordinary increase of number of pupils offering lor training during the last eighteen months. “A great deal of cross-country flying has been done and here again we find the unost difficulty in providing xur tnis work and lor training purposes. The D.H. Moth machine is not being manufactured any more, and the Government, we understand, may be deciding on the Miles Trainer, it is not known when they will be purchasing any machines, becausp they have not yet made a decision, although a small amount of £4oou has been placed on the estimates this year. Unfortunately, even if the Government orders tne machines immediately, it will be very many months before we are able to get delivery of them from England. However, this matter is being stressed to the Government by the New Zealand Aero Club and everything is being done lo expedite a decision from the Government on this matter, the question of subsidy, and also the establishment of an Air Ministry. “It is pleasing to report that Ibe club earned £4BO Government subsidy, but here again we trained more pupils than we were subsidised on, and it looks as if we will have to train more pilots than wet get subsidy on during the ensuing year. Pupils Trained “Flying-Officer Keith reports that 112 pupils have been sent solo since the inception of the club. Thirteen have B licences, 50 A endorsed licences and 94 A licences. Of the pupils trained there have been 40 at Wanganui, 14 at Hawera and 58 at New Plymouth. Ten of the B licence pilots are now serving with the R.A.F. on short-service commissions in England. With the very large number of pupils offering at the present time, it is very difficult to see how one instructor is going to cover the three clubs and deal with the whole of the trainees. Six lady members have been sent solo. “It is pleasing to note the recognition by the authorities to the representations of the* New Zealand Aero Club at various times, and we have to express our appreciation for the work which that club is doing. Our best wishes are extended to the parent club for its continued success and -activity. “The year shows a cash loss of £155, which is actually better than last year by £605. Aerodrome Development “Work has been well under way at Wanganui, Hawera and New Plymouth, and the development at I

Hawera has solved the aerodrome difficulty in that district. A perfect surface is being made at Hawera, and the flying area ’at present is in veiy good order. Congratulations are extended to the Hawera Club in having undertaken the purchase of that ground on their own, and it is hoped that the civic authorities will recognise the service done by the Aero Club and assist them in every way possible. “Further development has been undertaken at Wanganui, and it is understood that the New Plymouth Airport Board is taking in a further 123 acres to enlarge the present area. The thanks of the club and aviation generail are due to the Public Works Department for the very efficient manner in which this development work is being carried out, and for the way In which they have worked in with the clubs, so as not to hinder flying where at all possible.”