Subsidy Imperative for Aero Clubs to Continue Training

Wanganui Chronicle, 2 August 1947, Page 4

Subsidy Imperative for Aero Clubs to Continue Training

CLUBS LOSING MONEY AT PRESENT RATES

•Unless a Government subsidy is received very soon, it will be necessary for some clubs to cease flying opera tions while others will experience difficulty in keeping their aircraft flying," said an official of the Wanganui Aero Club commenting on the need for a Government subsidy. “Tlie aero clubs are operating at a loss at their present rates and it is not desirable to increase the rates and make the cost of flying prohibitive to the aver age young man.”

It was pointed out that several trainees of the elub were young mei. on low rates of pay who had to make sacrifices in order to learn to fly These members were keen and their spirit commendable. The charges a: present were the same as were in operation before the war in spite of the increased costs of operation and ti e big increase in the cost of spares

It is understood that. £l5 000 was piovided m the Budget for the pre sent year for subsidies to aero clubs but in spite of repeated requests by the Royal New Zealand Aero Club, to which the Wanganui Aero Club ana kindred clubs are affiliated, this amount has been allowed to lapse However, it is believed that the Gov eminent intends to subsidise flying training and that plans for the subsidised training of selected Air Training Corps cadets are under consideration NO INCREASE IN CHARGES

The charges of flying instruction and the hire of aircraft in New Zealand were the same as before the war and were much lower than in Eng land. He instanced the charge ot Tiger Moth aircraft, the slandarn training aircraft in New Zealand, foi Which a charge of £4 an hour was made in England. The charges in New Zealand averaged about £2 to £2 10s an hour all round. The cost of spare parts had risen considerably due to increased costs in England and in New Zealand.

It was explained that under the subsidy scheme in operation before the war, the aero clubs received a grant for every pilot trained who was under the age of 30 years. The subsidy was £35 for new pilots with a subsidy ot £l5 for the renewal of a licence. The subsidy was not used to reducecharges to individuals on whom the subsidy was received but was used li> make flying cheaper to all members, Before the war the aero clubs train cd pilots for the Government undci Ihe civil reserve scheme. Selected trainees were given a thorough course of instruction and in subsequent years it was planned Io give them refreshet flying. Most of the pupils trained uti der Ibis scheme were absorbed into the Royal New Zealand Air Force immediately after the outbreak of hostilities. The Wanganui Aero Club in addition trained a number of pilots for direct entry into the Royal Air Force. "Aero club aircraft must be kepi in tlie air if clubs wish to run econoniieally because there are certain costs which are reducible by increased living activity,' said the cluo official. The cost of an instructor and the proi, ot a servicing staff were items which became lower if increased hours were flown. To increase the amount of living the club was striving for an inci eased memtvshlp. Flora .he lime it recommenced (raining in 1946 until the end of March, 1947. the Wanganui Aero Club’s machines had flown Sill hours and for this amount of Hying the year's finances showed a loss of IlloU.