AEROPLANE CLUBS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 45, 22 February 1930, Page 26

AEROPLANE CLUBS

THE HOME SUBSIDY

WITHDRAWAL THIS YEAR

(From "The Post's" Representative,

LONDON, 2nd January.

The aeronautical correspondent of the "Morning Post" says that Government support for the light aeroplane clubs, which are proving tho greatest single force for popularising flying in this country, is to be withdrawn this year if existing plans aro adhered to. "These clubs have had a record year, but private flying, as opposed to club flying, is still on an exceedingly small scale, and it is feared that the withdrawal of the subsidies will adversely affect the development of 'air sense' and the supply of pilots. "National Flying Services, Ltd., 'is working under a modified subsidy agreement with the Air Ministry, but the clubs have not been offered any similar agreement. Consequently, it is probable that many of them will either fail or be forced to join National Flying Services, Ltd., and thus lose their individuality.

"National Flying Services, Ltd., has proved extremely efficient, but it is felt by club members that their clubs, in view of their successful work during 1929, are entitled to equal treatment with the larger company. I understand that the clubs contemplate a combined representation of their case to the Air Ministry..1

"Last year the thirteen subsidised clubs, which have a membership of 2076 and operate 48 aircraft, received a total Government grant of £15,522. When it is considered that they aro continually training pilots, and that they help to maintain aerodromes, this amount compares unfavourably with the £349,000 for Imperial Airways, Ltd., over the same period. In 1928 the subsidies to the clubs amounted to £12,318. "In addition to the thirteen subsidised clubs there are eleven unsubsidised, three of which aro service clubs, run by B.A.F. officers at their stations. The unsubsidised clubs bring the total number of flying club members up to well over 3000.

"The flying club movement was started in this country and has been taken up in the Dominions. Australia has ten clubs, Canada sixteen, India four, New Zealand nine, and South Africa nine, while East Africa, Singapore, and tho Irish Free State have one club each.

"The clubs provide cheap facilities for flying. There are still fewer than 200 private aeroplane owners in this country.