FLYING ACTIVITIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 February 1939, Page 5

FLYING ACTIVITIES

WAIRARAPA AND RUAHINE AERO CLUB. CIVIL RESERVE OF PILOTS. At the monthly meeting of the Committee of the Wairarapa and Ruahine Aero Club, held at the Club House, Hood aerodrome, on Wednesday evening it was resolved to call for applications for vacancies in the Civil Reserve of Pilots. Young men, who wish to learn to fly can join the Civil Reserve and provided that they are keen to take up flying, the training undertaken will enable them to rapidly become proficient in handling light aircraft. Enthusiastic trainees obtain endorsements permitting the taking of passengers for flights. It is pointed out that no previous experience is necessary to join the Reserve though there are other conditions that have to be complied with, such as age limits, etc, particulars of which can be obtained from the secretaries. Immediate application is necessary as selection of candidates will takb place during next month. In connection with the Physical Fitness Campaign the committee decided to request all members to join the procession tomorrow. Members will assemble at Wagg’s Parking Area at 1.15 p.m. Mr M. L. Pirie was nominated as a candidate for the special flying intructors’ course to be undertaken at the Auckland Aero Club. It was resolved to recommend to the Air Department that Mr Pirie be selected as a trainee for this course.

A large increase in private flying by members was disclosed in the monthly flying report for January. Of the total of 154 hours 25 minutes for the month over 78 hours were flown by club pilots, the remaining 76 hours being Civil Reserve training.

During the month Mr H. G. George made his first solo flight and Mr C. Bectham obtained his ‘'A” License. Cross country flights again proved popular, no less than 27 being made to Auckland, Hastings, Rotorua, Taupo, Tauranga, Dannevirke, Palmerston North, Waipukurau, Wellington, Nelson and Blenheim.

Four new members were elected, three as ordinary members and one as a pilot member. Mr D. Todd, who has been a member of the Club for two years and learnt to fly at the Hood Aerodrome, left by the Tainui recently to join the Royal Air Force. A. radio telegram was sent to Mr Todd expressing the Club's best wishes. It was decided to write congratulating him upon being appointed to the R.A.F. and to extend the best of luck and good wishes by the Club for his future success. His career will be watched with interest by fellow-mem-bers.