N.Z. PILOTS’ NEEDS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1930, Page 3

N.Z. PILOTS’ NEEDS

OBJECTS OF ORGANISED FLIGHTS More frequent practice in flying than pilots of the New Zealand Air Force have at the present time is the main object of the organised flights, which are being undertaken in various parts, of. the Dominion, states Wing-Com-mander SV Grant Dalton, Director ol Air Services. The recent flight of a squadron of five aeroplanes, iron) Auckland to New Plymouth, which was continued' by way of Hastings and tin East Coast, is the first of several which may be under take p in the near future and- each of the four main centres in turn will probably arrange similai triiis before Christmas. At present, Wing-Commander Grant Dalton said, insufficient flying was available for aviators, and the instituton of squadron flying would keep them in practice for the greater part of the year. Each of the territorial branches would lie responsible for arranging its own trips, and it was probable that a flight similar to that in Auckland would be undertaken from the AVigram Aerodrome before Christmas. The flights were to he of fairly short duration, visits being paid to districts surrounding each centre. New Service Machine. Asked about the cabled news o f this week that Great Britain had placed an order for 200 Hawker Furv aeroplanes, which were described as the answer to the Hawker Hart bombers, Wing-Com-mander Grant Dalton said that they were particularly good machines, very fast, and capable of intercepting bombing machines before they reached their objectives. They were not the type wanted in New Zealand, however, as it was unlikely that there was a danger of similar raiding to which Britain might ho subjected. Bombing machines were now so fast that they were very difficult.to overtake, and the new machines were capable of such high speeds that they would lie able to intercept enemy raiders far off from their objectives. The Autogyro, The first autogyro to he, sent to Australia or New Zealand, which was now on the way, to Christchurch, would he assembled at the AVigram Aerodrome) and tested by Squadron-Leader J. L. Findlay on its arrival, said the Director. It was. of course, not the concern of the New Zealand Air Service, hut was being brought out privately, and after the tests would go to its owners. The advantage of these machines, he said, was that they could take off and land in comparatively small areas, and the bringing of one to New Zealand was a distinct advance in aviation here. It is understood that the autogyro will he in use in all parts of the Dominion.