AVIATION PROGRESS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 May 1921, Page 2

AVIATION PROGRESS.

POSITION IN DOMINION.

WORK OF THE AIR BOARD.

The development of aviation in New Zealand was the subject of a statement made in Wellington last week by the Minister for Defence, Sir Heaton Rhodes, who gave an outline of the work of the Air Board. The Minister said the Government had decided, after the matter had been thoroughly considered by the Air Board, to make provision for the development of aviation along lines which would enable the Dominion to possess civil aviation for commercial and other needs, and at the same time to provide for the necessities for aerial defence in case of emergency. The key of the system'was the Air Board, which would advise the Government on all sides of, the question. On the purely defence side the function of the board would be to advise the Government as to the purchase, rent, and preparation of key aerodromes; the purchase and maintenance of war aeroplanes; and the inspection by members of the defence staff of aviation schools and their equipment; the institution of refresher courses for ex-R.A.F. pilots, so that the valuable training of these men might not be lost to the country; and the allotment of defence machines to civil companies. The survey of routes would be undertaken by officers of the Aviation Branch of the Defence Department or by any competent who might be deputed by the board to undertake the work.

COMMERCIAL ASSISTANCE.

As defence aviation, owing to the great cost involved, could not be developed without the development of the commercial side, the board was also entrusted with the duty of advising how this development could best be promoted. The general lines of the board’s duty in this respect was to advise as to: (1) Companies or private individuals that might be subsidised for the conveyance of mails and passengers on approved routes; (2) the allotment by way of loan or otherwise of Government machines; (.3) inspection of privatelyowned machines; (4) the reservation of rights of particular companies or individuals to flv for hire within prescribed areas. The board would make recommendations as to contracts for passenger and mail services, and such contracts would be submitted to the Minister’foj Defence and also the Postmas-ter-General.,

On general lines the board would be an advisory authority with respect to legislation regarding aviation, and would also consider and recommend in Avlr.it direction assistance should be given to the Meteorological Department, with a view to equipment to meet the needs of aviation. Regulations controlling aviation have already been framed and gazetted.

TERRITORIAL AIR FORCE.

The activities of the Air Board have been chiefly confined to constructive and research work for the development of civil aviation. Advising upon experimental air mail services has been one of the branches of this work. An Air Force has not yet been established, but it is hoped to shortly form a Territorial Air Force, and to arrange for refresher courses for pilots and mechanics at the aviation schools already in existence. These courses will be instituted next year.

With the object of establishing the nucleus of a formation upon which can ultimately be built a New Zealand Air Force for the defence of our coasts, the English Air Ministry has been approached with reference to the most recent developments in scout fighters and torpedo-carrying aircraft, on the latter of which the Ministry has been experimenting for some considerable time.

Since June, 1920, two additional civil aviation companies have been formed—one at Hastings and one at Timaru. The Timaru Company received a loan of some of the gift machines imder similar conditions to those granted to the two older companies. These terms ensured the development of civil aviation, and provided foi the maintenance

of a fleet of aircraft capable of being converted for use on defence work If required. There are now in the Dominion five) aerodromes and one. seaplane maintaining a considerable fleet of aero* planes, seaplanes and flying boats.