Auckland's Advance in Aviation"

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 614, 16 March 1929, Page 17

Auckland's Advance in Aviation"

Rise and Rail of Province in Air Endeavour... Lead Taken Again After Unprogressive Years .. . Courageous Pioneering Enterprise Recalled.

I Written for THE SUN by

G. K. PREBBLE.)

- - '-I IIiHTEEN years ' | heavens. Although ;i mere hop, it was the epochal event of the times and in bewildered curiosity thousands gazed at a flight, modest indeed compared tits that of birds. But that pioneering effort was the start of the first of two distinct phases m the spasmodic progress of aviation m Auckland. From that historic day onwards, more planes were built and w jtn the outbreak of war came the building of the flying school at Kohiuiarama which added considerably to the maintenance of interest in aviation in Auckland. In those days, Auckland was to the fore, and not a back numher but lack of Government support brought about the closing of the flying school shortly after the War and with no planes to continue the stimulation of interest, the progress of aviation in Auckland came to a standstill. For many years there was not a plane in the city, and until last year when the Government decided to subsidise an Aero Club, the present generation of Aucklanders did not have opportunities of becoming interested in flying or acquiring the mildest form of airmindedness. With the formation of the Aero Club we then entered upon the second phase of the progress of aviation in this city. A slight enthusiasm was aroused immediately, especially among ej-war pilots, but the epoch-making flight cf the Southern Cross, linking t he three great English-speaking countries of the Pacific, exerted a dvnamic influence on the progress of the club. The arrival in Auckland of these hero fliers who had spanned vast ocean stretches awakened our air sense, stimulated our laggard Interest in the great and enjoyable possibilities of aviation and fostered a keen desire on the part of young Aucklanders to emulate the exploits of Kingsford Smith and his comrades, o m * "Per iter coeli.” (Along the pathway of the heavens). This is the appropriate motto of the Auckland Aero Club which not

p»V* Jear °h* ' s to-day enjoying the I 'Miusiasm and support of nearly 400 ®®" r 9, "3 of whom are listed to fly n al “ w ho are old ex-war pilots yearnyL°ace aga ’ n to get into the air. o-day, a swift, sure machine flashes er the city. Auckland is no longer j

be hind the times—both j w astouudb, e t’c t ai flying have made j fc , d proßres « during the last ! m of sflll >n S ' AUd WHh the indications !it near t fijt Mrs Fe rapi(1 i Progress in the !s< sied Alnr ’ sr^ at things are prophe- lat becoming » , UUd m ° rU is the airplane j m fare tr s recognised factor in war- ! art. transport, photography, surveys I in ranirifv rt: and , thus must aviation forge | ci rapidly onwards, ever popular with the I si g ow mg baud of airminded Auckland- a>

Hav'iland 1 *? fh aS . at present * two de In commi t ll . 1 ?, Planes fitted with dual | iu m itic Si, I'/ i the - Handle y- IJ age Auto- se ‘ tl .. otted W, “S device which is Ijo n C, 1 i greatest aids to safe flying •!n r r <-’Peut years. Another Moth tt“® h for j. lle , <-lul i 's down at Christ‘hulili and should arrive shortly. Immediately the first machine arrived last month the instruction of pupils began, and next week it is expected that a tair number of the nineteen members under instruction will be ready to go solo. rins together with the arrival ot a third machine should relieve the long waiting list considerably.

The majority or the club’s officers *ue either prominent business men of the city or ex-service pilots, the president being Mr. Robert Burns, Chairman of the Committee and vice-presi-™n,'r W'-’ H - T ’ Merri tt; Secretary, Swan; and Club Captain, Major K. Caldwell M.C., D.F.C. Among some of those who saw service during the war and are certificated pilots getting their eye in again are Captains Hackman, W S R Bloomfield, 1). K. llarkness, .1. Seabrook, W. Mann, who during the war period gained considerable experience ill seaplanes and flying boats, and Lieutenant Tibbets. Many of these received their first training at the Walsh Bros. I'lying School at Kohimarama and many have indeed fine war records hut none perhaps as outstanding as those of Major K. Caldwell, who became a crack pilot and a prominent and distinguished officer. 7 he Club’s Staff At present the club has a staff of three, hut when, in order to cope witlt the long waiting list of pupil members, more machines are obtained, it will perhaps be necessary to employ an assistant instructor and possibly another ground engineer. The in-

structor, Major G. A. C. Cowper is another prominent ex-war pilot. He secured his ticket in England in 1915 and at one stage of his meritorious war career was appointed oflicer in charge at the Fernliill training station. In 1919 he left England for Australia

here he was commercial flying for our years. During this time he made umerous long distance flights across undreds of miles of wastes to remote ettlements and well may be ranked mong the prominent pioneers of comlercial flying in the Commonwealth. Most fortunate indeed is the club 1 securing the services of such a apable and distinguished ground enineer as Lieut. R. J. Copley who is ssisted at the ’drome by Mr. L. Anerson as assistant ground engineer, i connection with aero engineering its various forms, Lieut. Copley’s *rvices date back to 1014 when he ined the R.F.C. In 1916 he became

a member of the R.A.F. and was later appointed In charge of the wing repair section. From then on his services became still more notable, and recognised as an expert he held many important positions. After the war he sailed for India where he became the superintendent of aircraft manufacture.

Situated at Ihumatao, the club’s airdrome of 80 acres is most suitable for its purposes, and has already developed into a regular hive of activity. Many motorists make it their rendezvous for the week-end when the

club’s planes are kept busy carrying j passengers. The hangar, an imposing ! Iron structure, is capable of housing j four machines, while also under the ] same roof are various rooms and of- j flees for the use of the instructor and i engineers. It is the intention of the club eventually to build a club house and form tennis courts at the airdrome which, situated near the water, provides good swimming and Ashing facilities. It is in the early morning and in i the still and coolness of the evening j that planes soar overhead with pupils | under instruction. Definite flying |

hours have been set by the club. On week days from 10.30 in the morning until mid-day and from 4 o’clock until 5 in the afternoon —when dual instruction is not undertaken, passenger flying is carried out. On Saturday and Sunday passenger flying hours are from 2 p.m. until G. 30 p.m. although flights over longer distances may be obtained at any time by making the necessary arrangements. Of course all flights are only carried out if the weather is considered suitable.

What a Course Costs The charges for instruction are £3/10/- per hour in the air with dual instruction, and £2/10/- in the air solo flying. On this basis of charging the cost of qualifying for a private pilot’s licence should be about £3O, including entrance t> e and subscription and the refunding of £9 which is put down as an insurance when the

| pupil commences his training - . After I qualifying, pupils then become pilot j members of the club and if they so j desire may take a more advanced j training. ! If a pupil has an elementary knowledge of aeronautical terms, the theory of flight and the controls of an airplane it will do a great deal to shorten his time of instruction. Unfortunately good books on the subject are not easy to purchase. The present batch of ! members now undergoing instruction i however, were well prepared before j they actually took the air, for during j the months previous to the' arrival

of the planes, lantern lectures and ordinary lectures were given two nights a week by Major Cowper and other officers of the club. These are not being held at the present time but will no doubt commence again during the winter months. Now that the Aero Club is well established, it is intended to stage a big opening pageant in the near future, possibly as soon as the club’s third machine arrives. This event should feature from nine to a dozen planes and these, besides competing in var-

ious contests new - to Aucklanders, will take part in stunting and formation flying. Of the other planes to take part in the pageant will be those of two private companies now operating in Auckland in commercial flying, while it is hoped that some of the Government machines from the South will be present. As soon as some of the pupils gain their licences the club intends to con-

duct various flying meetings and trials. For this purpose Mr. E. S. Kohn lias already presented a handsome cup which will in all probabality be contested for, an a landing competition open to club trained pilots only. But the flying activities in Auckland are not only those of the Aero Club. There are also two private commercial companies operating, the Southern Cross Airways Limited, and the Air Survey and Transport Company. The former company has only one machine, a Blackburn Bluebird which features side by side seating. The pilot is Lieut. lan Keith, and so far the

machine has only been used for joyriding and aerial photography. The Air Survey and Transport Co., the proprietor and chief pilot of which is Mr. Douglas Mill, has Moth planes. Not a great deal is seen of these machines over the city, although Mr. Mill has undertaken some long flights to the South at various times. The Government air base at Hobsonville Is not yet completed and has only one Bristol fighter stationed there. On completion, Hobsonville will undoubtedly be the leading airdrome and the chief aviation centre of New Zealand. The officer in charge is Major L. M. Isitt who is a staunch advocate of civil flying. * * • No article on aviation in Auckland and its personalities could in any way be considered complete without a more detailed reference to its pioneers. The years of pioneering work which followed the first flight in Auckland have been a remarkable tribute to private enterprise, handicapped as it was by lack of finance and little more than hike-warm Government support. But those pioneers who paved the way toward the pleasant conditions which serve flying to-day, ventured out in unsafe equipment for which they were not regarded as national heroes, but fools. Failures which overwhelmed the few successes seldom received the call of sympathy. The real beginnings of aviation in Nevf Zealand were seen in Auckland. It was in 1910 that Messrs. Leo. A. and Vivian C. Walsh became associ-

ated with Messrs. A. N. Lester, A. J. Powley, and C. B. Lester of an Auckland airplane syndicate which imported from England the raw materials for the construction of a HowardWright biplane. About this time the New Zealand Aero Club was also formed, of which Mr. Leo. Walsh was elected president. This newly formed body set about experimenting in the construction of machines and among its most enthusiastic members were Mr. G. Henning, Mr. R. A. Dexter, and Messrs. George and Henry Steven-

son. Keen interest in the activities of j the club was stimulated in September j of 11)10 when Dr. Graham Bell and j Mr. F. Baldwin inspected the work j that was going on and made sug- 1 gestions. But few of these early efforts proved successful. It was in August of that year that the Walsh Bros, set about on the construction of their machine. Early in February of the following year the

machine was completed and Mr Vivian Walsh carried out the first successful flight at Glen Ora Park, Papakura. Other trials followed, and at a public demonstration the plane flew for nearly a quarter of a mile at a height of GO feet. This machine which was christened “Manurewa” by Sir Joseph Ward, was a biplane of the Farman type, with a monoplane tail. So we have the first successful flight accomplished in New Zealand although it has to be admitted that some great attempts had been made previously in Wellington by Mr. A. W. Schaef in a monoplane designed and constructed by himself. But it could not. be claimed that he did anything approaching u sustained flight. A few weeks after its first flight, the “Manurewa" was completely wrecked. The pilot, Mr. Vivian Walsh, was running the machine at a high speed in order to take off when the skids caught in a depression and the plane capsized. Mr. Walsh had a miraculous escape and came out uninjured. It took several months to rebuild the machine and when completed, owing to a disagreement in the syndicate, it I'tissed over into the hands of Messrs. F. K. Sandford and W. S. Miller, by whom it was altered

their 0 airdrome, °and °in Taij I rf. managed many sue- j "Ljful (lights " ith passengers, rang- ] • from five to seven miles. | But the "Manure wa” ' vas to meet j , end that year. On attempting taie-off front a small paddock at j Lynn, Mr. Sandford failed to , es 'r a fence surrounding the endos- ! and the machine crashed into a corner post, to be smashed beyond re- j pair. Mr. Sandford was tossed about • oBS ly injured. Ne xt came the adventures of “Wiz- I Stone with his liieriot monoplane. hibitions, gained considerable publicity j ,->d a big display was arranged to take > ace ou the Auckland Domain on trril LI, 1913* f J "t this stunt which i »a 8 perhaps the first commercial tin- 1 //taking of its kind in the Dominion, 1 tad rather a farcical ending. Large oW( j s paid admission to witness the /•-lit and through a considerable lack | nftart on the part of Stone they were j tgpt, waiting for some time. The machine actually got into the air but • had only been there about 30 secind3 when it tilted, dipped, and came do»n on the hillside. An indignant d disappointed crowd rushed the Piachine to take charge of it and push j • back into the hangar. A few days later however, it was reported that Stone had made one or two successful front Alexandra Park. While such would-be aviators as “Wizard” Stone were for the most part regarded with some amusement, there entered into the flying history of the Dominion Captain J. J. Hamtnond, o( Feilding, whose name will for many years live, with that of other pioneers, as one who made a permanent contribution to the cause. Captain Hammond went to England some years before the outbreak of the Great War and qualified as a pilot. In 1913 the Imperial Air Fleet Committee presented a Bleriot 80 h.p. machine to the New Zealand Government and he was the only pilot in the Dominion nullified to fly it. The distinction goes to Captain Hammond of being the first to fly a plane over the city of tuckland, which he did on numerous occasions at the time of the Industrial Exhibition, in 1913. He was undoubtedly a good pilot and besides doing considerable passenger flying made many of his flights in adverse weather conditions. He saw active service durnig the war but met his death in America while experimenting and testing new machines. Although the Walsh Bros, had suf-

fered financially over the loss of their any a of thefr Certaillly "°t lost in Tkl hUSIaSm alld inler est and ea™ * T l ey both studied hard tyDe eonc lusion that the laird „a ‘C most suited to Auckdluons m „ tact ' New Zealand confblL * ? tlle flyiu g boat. Up till wal known' 11 h l9 \ 3 , Very »«le indeed ab °ut flying boats and in ’ there had been no attempt commenced ® ,t However - ,he brothers machiik h I he construction of the « thi K '.o August of that year, but then bu,ldll tg oould only be done in tnen spare time progress was verv the f.fne U Was not untii December o'f year that the flying boat // <0 ;» > e' r ed. It was on New Year's Day ot 1915, at Orakei, that Vivian the (At the “ achiu e up to make Jlane flichr flying boat or seaplane flight m New Zealand. Later h A < l°“, menced to oarrv passengers. Wa A ‘ \ he outbreak of the war the nar whhb ? T . ealised the important at the V avlat i°“ Kas bound to play coinLte ; a ” d atter a deal of dis tr , om the Government vilnch was not keen on their project -mm bu ‘! ta . fl y ins school at KohimarRov/t Naming recognition from the Royal Aero Club, they started training candidates tor the Royal Flying Corns Thi; first flight made by Vivian wLsh with a pupil was on October 2, 1915 and the first solo flight made by a pupil took place less than two mouths later. Although this school was only on a small scale, it trained 110 men many of whom afterwards won distinction for themselves and their country by the services they rendered in the Imperial Air Forces. Although the school records are not complete information has been received of the following decorations awarded to ex> pupils, details of which may doubtless be found in the honours list:

Major K. L. Caldwell, M.C., D.F.C.; Captain G. C. Callender, Older of the Crown ot Italy; Captain W. W. Cook, M.C.; Captain H. W. Collier, M.C.; Captain R. B. Bannerman, D.F.C. and Bar; Captain M. C. McGregor, M.C.; Captain R. Russell, D.F.C.; Captain H. F. Drewitt, M.C.; Captain F. S. Gordon, D.F.C. Several other ex-pupils of the school have made excellent fighting pilots, and may have gained distinctions of which the compilers of this list are unaware. Worthy of mention also are those instructors who assisted Mr. Vivian Walsh. These were Messrs. M. Matthews, R. P. Going, and G. Bolt, while Mr. R. J, Johnson gave invaluable service as one of the ground engineers.