Developing “Air-Sense”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 322, 5 April 1928, Page 10

Developing “Air-Sense”

GOVERNMENT BUYS MOTHS

Two Coming to Auckland

(From Our Resident Reporter.) WELLINGTON, To-day. NEW ZEALANDERS 'will very soon be provided with facilities for the development of “air-sense.” This is due to the Government’s decision to purchase eigrht D.H. Moth airplanes to be loaned to light-airplane clubs. Furthermore the Government will financially aid these clubs by granting* £25 for every member who qualifies for a private pilot’s certificate. Conditions for the formation and running of clubs have been approved by Cabinet and were issued last evening. Four of the planes will be supplied on loan, two to Auckland and two to Christchurch. The remaining four machines will be used for training at Wisrram airdrome.

'JHE conditions of loan stipulate provision for the repair and maintenance of all aircraft, arrangements for qualified instructors, and a roll of at least 30 members, who are prepared to qualify as pilots. Airdrome and hangar accommodation at Auckland and Christchurch will be available free of charge to approved clubs or associations. The clubs must arrange for the services of an instructor with such

qualifications and on such terms as are approved by the department, and for a licensed ground engineer for the maintenance, in an airworthy condition, of the aircraft and equipment, and have a roll of at least 30 members who are prepared to qualify as pilots. MORE IF NEEDED

To any approved club meeting the above requirements, the department will issue on xoan two DH6O (Moth) airplanes, complete with engines, this equipment to be used only for the proper purposes of the club. Should the aircraft and equipment issued under the preceding clause of these conditions be insufficient to meet the demand for flying instruction, the Defence Department may, at the request of the club, make a further issue of one airplane, complete with engine, at any time during a period not exceeding five years from the date of issue of the initial equipment, conditional upon the club providing at the

same time and at its own expense, aircraft and equipment of a value equal j to that which it has requested the de- j partment to issue. The type of aircraft and equipment issuable by the department and to be provided by the club under this clause ' is to be that specified by the department. All aircraft and equipment is- ' sued by the Defence Department to any club shall remain the property of . the Government. The department will grant to each club the sum of £25 in respect of each member thereof who qualifies for a private pilot’s certificate in accordance with the requirements of the department. The grant made for such training is not to exceed £SOO during one financial year. The enjoyment by any club or by any member thereof of any of the privileges granted by | these conditions shall in no respect relieve the club or member from any of the provisions of the aviation regulations. No aircraft or equipment issued by the department shall be used in or in connection with any flight made for hire or reward, nor shall any person who is not a member of a club be carried in such aircraft or in any aircraft provided by the club under the provisions of these conditions. In the event of any contravention of this condition, or of any provision of the aviation regulations, the department may withdraw all aircraft and equipment issued by it to the club and suspend all flying operations of the club. Periodical inspection of aircraft and equipment will be made by qualified aircraft inspectors of the Defence Department, without cost to the club. NO STATE LIABILITY No liability will be accepted by the State in respect of any injury, loss or damage to persons or property suffered by any club, any of its members, or any third party arising out of the operations of the club. A board of inquiry may be convened by the Defence Department to investigate any flying accident. Each club must be duly incorporated and must assume entire responsibility for all matters of its interior organisation and management. On any club ceasing to function all aircraft and equipment issued by the department must be returned. Each agreement with any club will terminate on the expiration of five years, from April 1, 1928, but on the failure of any club to carry out any of its obligations the department may terminate the agreement at any time and withdraw any aircraft and equipment Issued by it to the club. Each approved club must give a bond or other form of security satisfactory to the department, guaranteeing that the club will make good at its own expense any damage or injury to the aircraft or equipment issued by he department.