AERO CLUB'S YEAR

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 69, 14 December 1937, Page 10

AERO CLUB'S YEAR

Improvements at Aerodrome Carried Out FINANCES SATISFACTORY Increased flying activities during the past year are noted by the Hawke's Bay and East Coast Aero dub in its ninth annual report whi.ch is to be presented to club members on Monday next at the annual meeting. The balance-sheet shows that after charging to revenue the sum of £222 19/7 for depreciation, there is a net surplus of £10 18/10. The committee reports that the club succeeded in meeting the expenses of operations during the past year. "The flying activities of the club during the past year have been well maintained, ' ' says the report, '*in fact shoAV a substantial increase over Ihe previous year. The gross revenue amounts to £2924 18/9 as compared with £2393 11/6 l^st year, On the other hand, the expenses of operation a,lso show a substantial increase in keeping vdth the rising -costs of the day, the net result being very similar to that of the previous year." It is pointed out that during the year the following ten pupil members obtained their A licences: W. Shrimpton, B. A. Ritchie, F. N. Clouston, D. M. Greenwood, J. M. Carmichael, P. M, Murphy, P. A. Jessep, G. W. Cotterill, A. S. Auld, and J. H. Maleolm. The total number of pilots who have now obtained their A licences is 93 of whom 43 have taken their endorsed licences. During the year four of these pilots pbtained their B licences, namely— A. W. Britton, M. W. Bateman, W. J. Peel, and H. P. L. van Asch. Details of the club flying are as under:— Dual instruction, 452hrs. ; solo instructipn, lllhrs.; A pilots flying, 710hrs.; commereial flying, 1571irsj tests, ferrying and club business,* 63hrs.; total, 1494hrs. "The shorfcage of maehines has become acute towards the end of this year," says the report. "The Desoutter monoplane has been completely written ofl this year, as also has the Gypsy .1 Moth ZK-ABB, which was crashed in April last. The club's original Moth, ZK-AAB, has been grounded recently, and will entail considerable expense to enable the club to obtain a renewal of her certiflcate of aiTworthiness. The Government-loaned Gipsy-Major, ZKADE, is flying well. In August last the club purchased the Hornet Moth ZKACP, from the Air Survey and Transport Co„ Ltd., and the acquisition of this machine has relieved the immediate pressuro to some extent. We are now anxioualy awaiting the» Tiger" Moth allotted to this club, and hope to be flying this machine before the end of December. A Porteriield monoplane has

; been ordered from General Aircraft Saies, and delivery is expected in February of next year. These additional aircraft when in service, should enable us to overhaul our arrears of flying without difficulty, "The first of our Civil Reserve pilots 1 commenced Lheir tuition in October, Since that date we have filled our quota, and all are now undergomg training, and making good progress." The Teport mentions that the belt of treeB between the golf links and the aerodrome, which have long been a tnenace to pupil flying, has been removed, and the approaehes to the ground are now excelleut in all directions. Two new hangars have been added to the existing buildings, oue to house the New Zealand Aerial Mapping Co.'s Monospar, and the other for General Aircraft Saies for their Porteriield mdchines, both of which conccrns will operate from the Bridge Pa Aerodrome as their headquarters. These activities have been brought about by the enterprise of two of the club 'a flying members, "Our two main social committees. the ladies' committee; and the fire reservoir committee, have done wonderful work during the year in raising additional funds for their particular objacts, the improvement to the club-house, and the provision of an adequate fire reservoir to be used as a swimming pool by members. Each committee 'has added materially to its funds. their joint eflorts producing £220 towards these ob.iects. The club's annual ball was held in the Assembly Hall, Hastings, on June 4 last, and was again voted an outstanding success in every way. "We would express our appreciation of the cpntinued assistance and courtesy we have enjoyed throughout the year in our association with the Controller of Civil Aviation and the officers of his department. We would also express to other clubs our thanks for masy kindnesses extended to our visiting pilots at various aerodromes throughout New Zealand, and to the Press for the generous spaee they have allotted to the club's activities durmg the year. ' '