WAIRARAPA AERO CLUB

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 April 1939, Page 4

WAIRARAPA AERO CLUB

ACTIVITIES FOR PAST MONTH. AERODROME IMPROVEMENTS. Mr A. McDonald, president, occupied the chair at the monthly meeting of the Committee of the Wairarapa and Ruahine Aero Club held in the Club House, Hood ' Aerodrome, on Wednesday evening. The flying report for March showed increases for dual and , endorsed A flying, with a decrease in solo. The total flying time amounted to 105 hours 25 minutds. For the year ended March 31 a total of 1010 hours 35 minutes was flown, as compared with 1219 hours 25 minutes for the previous year. During the year 13 pilots obtained A licences, 1 a B licence and 12 qualified for endorsed A licences. It was reported that ZK-ADL had been inspected for renewal of annual certificate of airworthiness, ■. Civil reserve training for the past year had been successfully completed. Eight trainees finished the prescribed schedule of training while nine others completed the first annual refresher course. On April 1 the selection committee of the Air Department interviewed a number of applicants for enrolment in next year’s quota; It was resolved to write to Mr G. V. Donald congratulating him on his selection for tne Royal Air Force, England. Mr Donald, as a member of the Civil Reserve, learned to fly at the Hood Aerodrome and recently qualified for his endorsed A licence. Messrs T. H. Callingham and W. H. Swain made their first solo flights while Mr J. Register obtained his endorsed A. Cross country flights were popular, no fewer than 26 ..being made during March to the following' towns: Blenheim, Dannevirke,' Hastings, Palmerston North, Nelson, Waipukurau, Wanganui, Wellington and Westport. Considerable improvement to the aerodrome surface is being effected by the Public Works Department which is levelling and resurfacing the front paddock. Given suitable weather conditions the work of levelling should be completed and grass, seed sown before the end of the month. It was with regret that the committee accepted the resignation of Mr A. R. G. Claridge who has been transferred to Hawera. A resolution was passed recording the club’s appreciation of the services rendered during the several years that Mr Claridge had been a member. For some years he was on the committee, acting as the Club’s representative at Dannevirke where his enthusiasm and . energy were largely responsible for the development of flying in that district. Arrangements have been completed for senior and junior landing competitions to be held at the Hood Aerodrome during the coming weekend.