AERO CLUB’S YEAR

Evening Star, Issue 22443, 14 September 1936, Page 5

AERO CLUB’S YEAR

NINTH ANNUAL REPORT The ninth annual report of the Otago Aero Club states that the club has continued its efforts to develop aviation both in training pilots and in fostering the spirit of air-mindedness amongst the general public., this last respect tlie club’s work has received a decided fillip this year due, in part, to the establishment of the Taieri aerodrome as the southern terminus of the main trunk air service. This, in conjunction with the fine aerobatic display given by Flying-officer D. Campbell every Sunday; afternoon,' has made the aerodrome a very popular rendezvous for motorists and the public generally.

“ The revenue account and balance sheet shows a small profit of £49 18s 3d on the year’s working. This result would not have been possible had the Dunedin City Council not recognised that capital expenditure by the club on the city’s airport is a charge that it should assume. . It is gratifying to the club that the members of tile City Council recognise, and have so willingly shouldered, these expenditures on what is now a fine civic asset. The total revenue from all sources has been well maintained, with the exception of income from passenger-carrying work, which has naturally been affected by the establishment of the regular air services. “ Various improvements have been made and the grading, levelling, and gravelling of the club’s tarmac, and the whole will be tar-sealod at an early date. “ Regular training has been carried out at both the Taieri and Balclutha aerodromes. The following pilots were successful in gaining their ‘ A ’ licenses during the year;—Miss B. Black, Messrs R. S. Aitken, -W. Boreham, R. A. Brownlie, R. Chisholm, and L. H. AFFar'ano. while Messrs S. C. Black. G. A. Herbert, B. R. Renton, and R. L. Smith, having completed the necessary number of hours’ .flying, have had their licenses endorsed to carry passengers. Messrs A. Crighton and M. R. Greens'! a tie wore successful in obtaining their ‘ B ’ licenses, while Mr A. AV. Burbiclge (ground engineer) passed the necessary tests for his instructor’s license. “ The winners of the ‘ Otago Daily Times ’ flying scholarship were Mr R. G. Maddox first, Mr S. Aides second, while Alessrs T. Rowley Smith and J. R.. Dyer won the two quarter scholarships. The 50 competitors gaining the highest marks were awarded .associate membership for one year. “ The results of the various competitions held during the year were as follow Hudson Banner—‘A’ flight, Pilot Officer M. R. Greenslade, captain; Trengrove Cup (landing competition). Pilot P. A. Matheson; Olson Trophy (bombing). Pilot T. W. Jamieson (South Otago) ; cross-country navigation test (Campbell Tropby), Pilot G. Harvey (South Otago). During the year the club was successful in winning the trophy for interclub competition with Southland.”