AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1929, Page 6

AVIATION

N.tf. AERODROMES. THEIR CLASSIFICATION. By Telegraph—Per Pr«ss Association WELLINGTON, May 20’. 7?„r fbo information of local authorities and aero clubs, it is announced by''Air Wilford that llie* following ratings oif aerodromes will be adopted: No. 1 rating in addition to basic requirements, a ground, must have a landing area ■of 800 yards in all directions, with clear; approaches. No. 2 rating must have a landing area of 800 yards in all directions. No. 3 rating, 500 yards in all directions. No) 4 rating. 100 yards in all directions. with clear approaches in each case. Grounds which have not- the necessary dimensions to qualify for No. 4 rating, but may ho considered sale lor particular purposes, will ho rated No. 5. Afr Wilford states that- up to to-day only one area, capable of receivin' 7 • No. 1 rating, without the aenuisition of further, land, lias been found. That is at Wanganui at Landguards Bluff, owned hv the Wanganui Harbour Board. This area is not only sufficient, when put iii order to have No. I rating, : but. ha,s. everything -necessary for easy identification from, the air; being situated at.the mouth of-.the AVangamui River. It also has the. advantage, of an occulting light as a further signal post. New Plymouth and Ifawera by the acquisition bf additional adjoining land 7, an become rated as No. 1, while the Wigrnm aerodrome and Blenheim aerodrome, when they bring in othe" land already owned by tlioiu, and af nrcsent under cultivation can be rated No. 1. Eltliam will provide a good landing place for any machine at present in New Zealand without expense but the cost of purchasing the property makes it prohibitive for any municipal authority. Air Wilford specially acknowledges the. gre.it assitanee rendered to the. aviation movement bv the generosity of Sir Fenrv Wigrnm at Sockburn • and of Air Charles Todd at Dunedin • •Urn the valuable help given by FairHall brothers, Blenheim, ALr Connett. •>t 801 l Block, near New Plvmouth Air Quin at Elthani, and Eriatn Nopor at Danuevirke. A "WONDERFUL ESCAPE. LONDON. Af-.iv 20. • .The pilot-mechanic of a French Ai'' Union freighter pbnio " luiracubmO-KS'-med /loath hv diriip 7 from a height of five thousand feet when his mtvh Inn fire in mid air. when passim 7. •Tonbridge. On reach hi g the L r ro n m' he managed to’ jump cioar of (ho cock pit before the flames enevelopcd Ur machine.