GROWTH OF CIVIL AVIATION

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27397, 9 July 1954, Page 13

GROWTH OF CIVIL AVIATION

STEADY INCREASE IN N.Z. LAST YEAR FIFTY-FOUR MORE PLANES REGISTERED (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 8. The steady growth of civil aviation in New Zealand continued last year, and at the end of March, 1954, there were 1025 pilot licences current. Registered aircraft numbered 454, an increase of 54, and licensed aerodromes rose from 63 to 75, says an official report. ' The number of licences for private pilots fell during the year from 590 to 543, but this was more than compensated for by an increase in the number of commercial pilots—from 301 to 357. Licences for airline transport pilots who fly the scheduled air services also showed a slight reduction in number, from 135 to 124. There was an increase from 840 to 873 in the number of licences for student pilots, and instructors, who must have a commercial pilot’s licence with instructor rating, increased in number from 83 to 96.

Instruments ratings, which are an extra for commercial pilots entitling them to fly under certain conditions but are included in the airline transport pilot’s licence, increased in number from 164 to 172. With 454 registered aircraft—or more than 100 over the number at the end of March, 1952—the steep increase of the last few years was maintained. Aircraft registered during the year included a number of Cessnas for aerial topdressing, and of Auster Variants and Tiger Moths. Aerodrames were licensed at several places, including Roxburgh, Hokitika, Timaru, Ranfurly, and Feilding. The first three are new fields. One or two aerodromes whose licences had lapsed at the end of March, 1953, were relicensed during the year.