AERO CLUB YEAR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 May 1939, Page 2

AERO CLUB YEAR

ACTIVITIES IN WAIRARAPA TWO NEW MOTHS ORDERED. MANY PILOTS TRAINED. The tenth annual report of the Wairarapa and Ruahine Aero Club, to be presented at the annual meeting to be held on Tuesday, June 6, states: — “There was a small loss of £6 19s 9d for the year. The flying section shows a decrease in revenue of £lB4 7s 2d resulting in a total deficit of £251 8s 2d, against which is set off the surplus of £244 8s 5d in the general section. Depreciation, insurance and maintenance have increased heavily due to the purchase of ZK —AGB, comprehensive insurance policies on all aircraft and the increasing burden of maintaining the club’s machines in first-class condition. ZK —ABE made a forced landing at Makara and ZK — ADL a heavy landing at the Hood Aerodrome. The damage was covered by insurance excepting for the franchise of £7O. It was decided that the heavy expense in rebuilding ZK — ACD was not warranted, so the machine has been dismantled and used for spares. Flying Activities. “A total of 1010 hours 35 minutes was flown by the club’s aircraft during the past year, compared with .1219 hours 25 minutes for the previous year. Increases were obtained in dual (31.20), endorsed “A” (8.20), civil reserve (53.40), members’ free flying (11.10). Decreases were recorded in advanced dual (21.50), solo (85.00), advanced solo (179.50), “B” passenger (2.20), Elkington Scholarship, contracts and ferry (22.30).

Licences. “During the year, thirteen pilots oh tained their “A” licences, the success ful candidates being as follow: —F. J Bodie, F. J. Gray, A. Haigh, R. E Madden (16/10/38); R. Armstrong, 1 E. Denbee, J. H. Hamill, J. W. Si even R. W. Prout, W. R. Jaspers (19/12/38) C. Beetham (10/1/39); H. C. George, C . V. Donald (19/2/39). The foliowin twelve pilots were successful in ob . taining their endorsed “A” licences: C 0 T. Price, F. R. Bodie, J. W. Sievers, E 4 Armstrong, C. Beetham, F. J. Gray, «i t H. Hamill, T. W. Horton, O. W. Hosk . ing, W. R. Jaspers, G. V, Donald, J Register, Mr R. L. McGregor quali fled for and obtained a “B” licence. Pageants and Competitions. “Mr J. A. Kirkcaldie represented ou club at the official opening of th Tauranga Aerodrome. The annua Liverton Cup contest between th e Wellington Aero Club and this clu' was arranged for May 21, but wea ther conditions caused a postponemen until a date to be arranged. Our re presentatives will be: —Messrs A. V, Buchanan, J. V. A. Reid, N. W. 1 Beetham, J. W. Sievers and W. E Jaspers. Club competitions results as follows: —Sir William Hunt Cuj (junior landing), Mr J. Register; Me Donald Rose Bowl'(senior landing), M A. W. Buchanan; James Cup (bomb ing), Mr J. Franklin. Civil Reserve of Pilots. ‘ “The training of pilots under thi r Government scheme for the Civil Re x serve was an important phase of th< club’s activities. Eight trainees sue cessfully completed the schedule o flying training in accordance with ou: agreement with the Government. Nim , others undertook their first annual re , fresher course. The scheme is to b< continued during this year. “Lectures.—A series of lectures giv , en by the pilot instructor and grounc t engineer were very popular with civi , reservists, club pilots and members. New Aircraft. ' “The Miles Whitney Straight is becoming increasingly popular, particularly for cross-country flights. The club’s operations were considerably hampered by insufficient aircraft being available for training purposes. Tc rectify this position, the committee has ordered two new Moth Minors one open and the other with a closed cabin. The former will be completely equipped with blind flying instruments and hood —the latter with instruments for commercial flying. Aerodromes. “The Public Works Department has recently carried out levelling and regrassing operations at the. Hood Aerodrome. The committee acknowledges with thanks the co-operation and help given by the Department. The erection of fences around the clubhouse, the planting of trees and the provision of further amenities in the clubhouse have been greatly appreciated by members. Additional equipment for the workshop has been purchased. Further support was accorded the Dannevirke. Airport Association (Inc.) during the year by making an increased donation for the use of the Dannevirke Aerodrome. Cabarets. “Two cabarets at the clubhouse and one held in the Arcade Hall were outstanding social functions of the year. The success achieved was solely due to the untiring efforts of the social committee. It is pleasing to note that the social fund has a credit balance of £lO 10s 6d. ' Membership. “The membership roll totals 279, comprising 59 pilot members, and 220 ordinary members. .During the year, Messrs D. A. Todd and G. V. Donald left for England to join the R.A.F. The committee extends best wishes for their future success. Staff. “Mr F. J. McDonald was appointed pilot instructor, taking up his duties during October last. For several months, Mr J. V. A. Reid acted as temporary pilot-instructor. Mr A. W. Dingle and his staff maintained the club’s fleet in excellent order. Thanks. “The committee expresses its thanks to the Controller of Civil Aviation, the Superintendent of Reserves and other Government officials for their co-op-eration; the social committee, for organising and controlling social functions; the various boroughs, counties and individuals who have generously made grants and donations to the club; the Press, for its support and publicity given to the various activities of the club; and to the secretaries, pilot instructor, ground engineer and staff for their endeavours on behalf of the club.

Valedictory. "Mr A. R. C. Claridge, formerly of Dannevirke, 'resigned from the club to take up residence in Hawera. During the eight years that he was a member, he took a very keen interest in the welfare of the club, acting as our Dannevirke representative and serving on the committee. The promotion of flying activities in the Dannevirke district was largely due to his enthusi-

asm and energy. The club extends its best wishes for his future health and prosperity. ‘•Officers and . committee. —Nominations for the ensuing year have been ‘received. As the nominations do not exceed the vacancies, elections will not be necessary.” The report is signed for the committee by Mr A. McDonald, president.