AERO AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Daily Times, 14 March 1935, Page 6

AERO AFFAIRS

WAIRARAPA AND RUAHINE CLUB. The monthly meeting of the Wairarapa and Ruahine Club (Inc.) nas held last night, the President (Mr M. L. Free) presiding. Mr Free moved that at this and subsequent monthly meetings the Press should be invited. He considered that it would be to the advantage of the club to have full reports of the meetings and there were often discussions which would be of interest to the public. Several congratulatory letters were received from visiting pilots and other visitors to the recent Air Pageant on the very well conducted and successful event which it turned out to be. A circular was received from the New Plymouth Aero Club inviting the Wairarapa Club to have pilots and planes present at the Easter Camp at New Plymouth Airport on 19th to 22nd April. The matter was left to FlyingOfficer Buekeridge to inquire of members and make the arrangement of members to make the trip. That the camp would be of great value to pilots was the opinion expressed by Mr Free. A letter was received from the-sec-retary of the N.Z. Aero Club stating that at a recent sitting of the Transport Co-ordination Board a decision was reached that taxi licenses would be granted for a term of 4 years. The minimu mchargo for a 1-passenger machine to be £3 per 100 miles. It was also suggested that the Club submit to the N.Z. Aero Club a schedule of goods charges. It was decided that Pilot-Instructor J. Buekeridge draw up a schedule of charges. Although the club planes were not suitable for general goods carrying they could carry certain articles such as films, etc. It was decided to submit suggestions as requested. UNATTENDED AERODROMES. Mr E. N. Grace (Martinborougli) stated that in the case of unattended aerodromes, such as at Martinborough, he thought that some definite arrangements should be made as to the method of pilots signalling that they are about to land. At the present time pilots sometimes, circled the town of Martinborough; a member of the local club would then go out to the 'drome to find that a plane had not landed. Pilot-Instructor Buekeridge suggested that as the planes flying over Martinborough were invariably from Masterton or Wellington he would move that the Wellington Club be written to and asked to advise their pilots that if they intend to land at Martinborough a left-hand circle be made over the town and that the plane then proceed straight to the 'drome. RECENT PAGEANT. With regard to the recent Air Pageant the president stated that he _ considered the club could take credit to themselves that they had got through a big programme with dispatch. They had to thank their Pilot-Instructor who had done an enormous amount of work and also Mr Grace who had a big day getting the planes off the ground, and marshalling the pilots. Everybody, in fact, had done liis job well and the function had been a very satisfactory affair judging by the appreciative remarks voiced by many visitors. A disappointing feature, however, was that the club did not get the public support which the occasion warranted. There were, of course, several counter attractions which took their toll but nevertheless there should have been more than the 2000 paying people present. It may have been due toia certain apathy in the district. The club had tried to overcome the feeling by carrying out extensive publicity. The pageant of 4 years ago was not a programme to entertain the public and this was a reason which had made a lot of people stay away from air pageants. The club had done much to establish flying in the area under their control and could do more with greater public support. The loss of approximately £SO would come back in the future. It was unfortunate that so many people could, owing to the position of the 'drome, see the events without paying. Commenting on the pageant of 4 years ago he said the general impression was that the affair was not interesting enough from a spectator's point of view, but this year’s effort was thoroughly enjoyable and would stand in good stead for the next occasion, Mr Free pointed out that it would probably be 6 years before this club could get another official pageant. That perhaps it would be advisable to hold the next at Dannevirke was expressed by other members. Dannevirke people supported such shows very well, commented PilotInstructor Buekeridge. When Jean Batten and also McGregor and Walker were touring New Zealand there were more of the public present at that centre than at the Masterton 'drome. FLYING REPORT. In the flying report of the club flying hours for the two machines for the period Ist October £o ■ 28th February were 363.10, a monthly average of 72.28 flying houres for the period. The October-January period showed a better average of 82.124, but as one machine had been laid up during the last month the average at 28th February of 72.28 was quite satisfactory, stated the president. For February there were 12 arrivals and 12 departures at the Hood Aerodrome. Cross-country flights totalled 12, 4 to Hinakura, 2 to Wellington ■with return to Masterton in each case making the total. Passenger. flights totalled 6 for one hour’s flying of distances totalling 70 miles. The number of passengers totalled 6.’

The report of the ground engineer (Mr J. H. Preston) was read and received.

For the past month there w,ero no resignations and 21 applications for membership were received.