Move To Revive Flying In Levin

Chronicle (Levin), 1 September 1949, Page 7

Move To Revive Flying In Levin

If all goes well, this year may see the revival of flying as a sport in Levin. For many months now there has been a restlessness among local enthusiasts who are keen to see some action alo'ng these' lines as the Manawatu Aero Club, Palmerston North, is a littie inconvenient for regular attendance, although quite a number of Levin persons have maintained their membership and whenever possible endeavour to build up their flying hours. The Levin Aero Club is still in existencer-but, owing to difficulties in securing a suitabie site for an aerodrome, it has been in recess for the past three years. One of the advocates of a revival of flying locally is Mr. Peter Ward, who is at present attempting to either revive the old club' or larnach a new one. As a start he has arranged for the founder of one of the newest clubs (Dannevirke) to visit Levin and attend a meeting of those in- ' terested. This club started :cff with no finance, but in a short period has gone ahead at a rapid pace and doubtless what this official could give in the way of advi'ce would be welcorne. If a new club was formed here

or the old one revived, there should be no Tack -^of supporters and ' ah'eady there af e three or ■four pilots eligible for instructors' licences 1 Following the war, members used the R.N.Z.A.F. property at Kimberley, hut this is now subdivided under three owners and it is not now available, except as an emergency lan$ing field. In those days ihe club had no planes of its own;, but two Tiger Moths were sent from Pa1merston North when required, one for passenger hire and the other for instruction. What many would like' to see is the purchase by the club of an Auster aircraft for passenger flying and hiring and a Tiger Moth for training. They do not think that much difficulty would be met in rai'sing the necessary finance for such a project. : At ' a meeting of the Levin Junior Chamber of Commerce on Monday night Mr. Ward appealed for support of members, statihg "that. the reformation of the aero ' club would be for the eventual good of the town and eommunity. A general meeting of the. old c'ub would probably be called soon and it would be looking for associate as well as active members.