HOME MADE AIRCRAFT.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20106, 9 December 1930, Page 5

HOME MADE AIRCRAFT.

A WORD OF WARNING. U'!:BSS A3i.OCIiTIO>f TELKOR.'.II.' WI3LLINGTO.V, December S. The danger of unqualified people building aeroplanes, attempting to fly thorn and carrying passengers was emphasised by the Director of Air Sic r vice?, Wing-Commander Grant Dalton, to-day, In the event of a fatal accident occurring, he said the pilot would be faced with serious legal consenuences. "There is no reason w't should not endeavour to mprove t ; ;e design and the efficiency of the modern aeroplane," he declared, "but personally I consider it a waste of time unless both the designer and the constructor are technically qualified for the task. I would point out to those concerned that until their aircraft has been granted a certificate of airworthiness it is illegal to fly more than thres miles from a licensed aerodrome, and that 110 passengers can be carried in nn experimental machine. As a locallybuilt machine must also be inspected during construction before an airworthiness certificate can be granted, I would advise persons who are contemplating this work to notify the Defence Department before committing themselves to serious expense. "Luckily the wing fell off before the machine left the ground," lie said, when referring to the two Auckland men who last week had attempted to take off in a machine which they had built Had the wing come off while the machine was in the air the pilot, had he lived, might have had to face serious legal consequences.