CANTERBURY AERO CLUB
“LACK OF GOVERNMENT POLICY ” DIFFICULTIES IN RESUMING ACTIVITIES • “The absence of any clear-cut announcement from the Government about its policy on aero clubs and also its apparent refusal to give any assistance by way of subsidy or reduced prices in purchasing aircraft is disappointing members,” said the retiring president (Mr C. E. Ridgen) at the annual meeting of the Canterbury Aero Club last evening. To accommodate ‘the many prospective members seeking admission, the club would need a greatly-increased fleet, but it would be costly under present conditions. Of the 110 persons awaiting election as members, about 70 were experienced service pilots, and they could not at present be offered machines for the type of flying in which they were most interested. Air Force machines would not be economical, and there, seemed no immediate prospect of importing suitable machines. When the National Airways Corporation began full operations it was hoped some definite policy would be announced.
The annual report mentioned difficulties encountered in resuming activities after the war and outlined assistance given by the Federal Government to aero clubs in Australia. The Canterbury clubhouse had been removed from Wigram to Harewood, but unfortunately it was located some distance from the hangar and also did not give a clear view of the flying field. It was hoped that a satisfactory change could be arranged. “Although the financial position is sound, it will be hecessary for the club to husband its resources and conduct its affairs as prudently as possible, because operating expenses will be unavoidably high,” the report saic[. “If the club is to receive no Government subsidy or financial help (and that is the indication at present) it will not be possible to provide cheap flying facilities and balance the budget at the same time.” The following officers were elected: patroness, Lady Wigram; president, Mr H. D. Christie; vice-president, Mr H. Worrall; treasurer, Mr C. W. Evans; committee, Sir Bruce Stewart, Messrs C. E. Ridgen. W. A. Hopkins, J. Young, and R. S. Taylor.
Flight Lieutenant G. C. Lewis, senior flying control officer at Wellington, gave an address on the inter-, national control system devised to permit plotting of the* positions of all aircraft to ensure their safety in the air and to enable immediate rescue operations to be instituted in the event of mishap. He emphasised that the organisation had been developed to help pilots and ensure their safety rather than to restrict their activities.
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Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24905, 19 June 1946, Page 10
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408CANTERBURY AERO CLUB Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24905, 19 June 1946, Page 10
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