AIR DEVELOPMENT

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 44, 21 February 1930, Page 10

AIR DEVELOPMENT

A NEW LANDING GROUND

CO-OPERATION OF CLUBS

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "The Evening Post.")

PALMERSTON X., This Day

The landing ground at Milson, loaned to the Manawatu Aero Club by Mr. J. Linklatcr, M.P., was inspected yesterday morning by the Director of Air Services (Wing-Commander S, Grant . Dalton). After .traversing, the ground and,inspecting the surface, the Director expressed himself .as, well satisfied, with the suitability of the area. He pointed out that machines could laud SO yards from, the edge of the ground and have a 40.0 yards runway. The approach to the ground was good," the absence of, neighbouring houses being a safety, factor. ■ With an active club to effect the necessary improvements, Wing-Comma'ncler Dalton was of the opinion that the ground would soon become a valuable asset.

The Director stressed the fact that air development must proceed on sound lines and not progress too rapidly without proper preliminary work. The first essentials ot" a successful. aero club were a good ground, sound finances, and a fulltime training pilot and ground engineer. There was a possibility that a commercial air service ■_ between Wd'mgton and Auckland would be put into operation this year, and in this eveut a good landing ground in Palmerston North would be probably used by the 'planes. Over twenty applications for the approval of aero clubs had beeu received, but he suggested that it would be necessary for tho smaller aud larger, towns to cooperate in order that sound progress might be made. .