‘Aero Clubs Need Aid’

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31118, 22 July 1966, Page 3

‘Aero Clubs Need Aid’

(N Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 21.

The aviation industry relied almost entirely on club-trained pilots, yet gave very little support to aero clubs, the president of the Royal New Zealand Aero Club (Mr B. A. Johns) told the club’s annual meeting in Wellington today.

Mr Johns claimed that each Air New Zealand DCB needed 10 air crews, N.A.C. was hard pressed to keep up with demands, there was a serious shortage of experienced senior instructors, and increasing demands on aerial topdressing pilots. It was a sobering if not frightening thought that no assistance was given to nor investment made by either Government or operator in a voluntary training organisation which had produced most of New Zealand’s professional pilots, he said.

The foundation chairman. Mr G. M. Spence, said New Zealand was the only country where there appeared to be no substantial recognition by the State of the work done by aero clubs. The Secretary of Civil Aviation (Mr B. R. Rae) assured the meeting his department was not lacking in sympathy towards clubs’ appeals for assistance. His department had the job of

convincing the Government ; to spend money and this was a difficult task. The Chief of Air Staff (Air Vice Marshal C. A. Turner) said clubs coull rely on the i Air Force to give all the i support it could. 1 He also announced a ■

second course for instructors this year to be held at the R.N.Z.A.F. station, Woodbourne. Mr E. A. Gibson said his private research showed aero clubs each year provided trained commercial pilots worth a total of £750,000.