FLYING ACTIVITIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 March 1939, Page 6

FLYING ACTIVITIES

WAIRARAPA AND RUAHINE CLUB.

CIVIL RESERVE TRAINING SCHEME.

There was a representative attendance of members of the committee of the Wairarapa and Ruahine Aero Club at a meeting held at the club house, over which Mr E. A. Heyder, yice-pte—-sident, presided in the absence of Mr A. McDonald, plub president. All parts of the club’s district were represented. It was reported that the civil reserve training for the year ending March 31 had been completed and the pilotinstructor, Mr F. J. McDonald, was heartily congratulated on the results achieved.

The total number of flying hours recorded by club machines in February was 117 hours 25 minutes, of which over 454 hours were by Civil Reserve trainees, of the balance, 59 hours consisted of dual and solo instruction flights and 33 hours club passenger flying. Two new A licences were granted during the month, the successful candidates being Messrs Hilton George (Alfredton) and G. V. Donald (Masterton). Endorsed A licences had been awarded to Messrs. Armstrong, C. Beetham, Gray, Hamill, Horton, Hosking and Jaspers. Mr R. J. Stewart carried out his first solo flight during the month.

Applications were recently called in respect to the Civil Reserve training scheme for the year commencing in April. While all applications for this scheme were now forwarded direct to the Air Secretary, it was understood that between 20 and 30 applicants had already applied from the Wairarapa. These candidates would be interviewed at the Defence Office. Masterton, on Thursday, March 0, at 2.30 p.m. Mr. P. F. Fagan was appointed to represent the club on that occasion. Details of the Easter Camp to be held at New Plymouth indicated that an extensive course of instruction would be given to all pilots attending. Full details of the itinerary could be obtained from the pilot-instructor or the secretaries.

Six new members were elected and two resignations accepted. It was reported that the Public Works Department commenced work at. the aerodrome on Monday and for about six months the club would be using the adjoining ground owned by it for flying purposes. The 70 acres forming the aerodrome were to be shallow ploughed, disced, harrowed, levelled and re-sown.