LOCAL JOTTINGS.

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19887, 16 May 1936, Page 25 (Supplement)

LOCAL JOTTINGS.

WAIKATO AIRPORT ACTIVITIES. A fair amount of activity was recorded at the Waikato Airport during the past month when despite the unfavourable weather there were several cross country flights undertaken. Only four visiting machines called in at the aerodrome during the period. On Monday Mr S. J. Blackmore in his Desoutter Monoplane, ZK-ACJ, flew from Rotorua with two passengers, returning on the same day. Also on Monday SquadronLeader L. M. Isitt in a Government Moth and Flying Officer C. E. Kay, also in a Government Moth, called in to refuel on the way to Waipukurau. On the same morning Mr Lewis, of Auckland, called in on his way to Hastings and landed on the return journey in the evening to refuel.

The instructor, Flight-Lieutenant W. H. Lett, has conducted many lessons and recently Mr K. 13. Forsyth, of Arapuni, made his first solo flight, putting up a very creditable performance. Two of the club members, Mr H. T. Morton, of To Kuiti and Mr R. Charlton, undertook aerial tours of North Island during the period. Mr Morton left on April 11 in ZK-ACC, his trip, during which he flew all over the Island from Wellington to North Cape, taking nine days.

Mr Charlton also flew ZK-ACC, com-/ mencing on April 22, and returning on April 28. During this time he visited -New Plymouth, Hawera, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Wellington, Dannevirke, Hastings, Napier and Taupo. He was rather unfortunate in that he struck a lot of bad weather and was held up on that account for two days at Wellington. Last Friday Flight-Lieutenant Lett, in ZK-ACK left for Gisborne with Mr Findlay as passenger. Bad weather was experienced on the first part of the trip and it was necessary to go to Paeroa and go through the Waihi Goi'ge, as the clouds were so low that it was not possible to cross the Kaimais. From Tauranga onwards, however, the weather was perfect, the only stop was at Opotiki for petrol. The return journey on the same day was made in the fast time of one hour tifty minutes.

On Friday 17, Flight-Lieutenant Lett, . ith a passenger flew to Mangere and eturn in KZ-AAT, while last Sunday •ir A. Bell flew to Huntly and ream, Mr H. P. Dive to Te Aroha and return, and Mr Morton to Rotorua and return. On Tuesday the instructor dew to Rotorua and return with Mr i 'harles Farrell, the film star actor as passenger. The formation of a committee to organise and conduct competitions will no doubt promote a great deal of interest. The first competition, which took the form of a landing competition, was held on Sundav, and resulted in a win for Mr J. Milner. Our ground engineer, who has done about twenty hours solo, has again

gone dual. In other words he got married on April 22. He has been honeymooning until the 29th, when he returned to work. It has been reported that he was seen on Tuesday busy on the end of a spade in his garden. We are accustomed to seeing him a spanner in his hand, but it will be some-’ thing novel to see a spade take the place of the spanner, if machines are continually over his house on his day off he will know what the members are looking for. We hope he is as successful with the spade as with a spanner. If so he should grow the best vegetables in the Waikato. The members entertained Mr and Mrs Sheehan one afternoon to tea in the club room shortly before they were married.

Another noticeable increase in aviation in the Waikato has been recorded this month, four new pupils having joined and commenced instruction. The new pupils are Messrs P. Dee of Okoroire, D. Ryan of Hamilton, A. A. Yeoman of Taneatua and D. Carlson of Okoroire. The latter two have been staying,in Hamilton for the past week and have recorded over 6 hours’ dual. They will stay until they complete their course.

The second accident since the inception of the club occurred last Thursday when Mr B. Oliver, of Matangi, tipped the wooden moth, ZK-AAT, on to its nose, while landing. Mr Oliver had undertaken his first solo earlier in the morning, and on a later flight, while landing in a cross wind, the machine tipped on its nose. The propellor was broken and the wings damaged, but the machine really escaped lightly and will be repaired at the Waikato Airport. The pilot was not scratched.

Five machines have called in at the Airport during the month, two Auckland Club moths, AAK and AAV making the trip from Mangere and return last week. Two Vildebeestes called in last week, Flying Officer Cohen and Flying Officer Lester being the pilots, both machines making the trip from Hobsonville and returning the same day. Mr S. J. Blackmore in his Desoutter called in on his way from Mangere to Rotorua and last Sunday Flight-Lieutenant J. E. Rawnsley, of the Hawke’s Bay and East Coast Club called in with a passenger in ZK-ADK on his way from Hastings to Mangere. He again stopped at Rukuhia on his return solo next day.

Although there has been a great deal of flying this month only one cross country flight was undertaken, Mr H. T. Morton flying to Mangere and return in ZK-ACC on Tuesday. This machine has recently been overhauled by the ground engineer. Miss June Howden, the winner of the scholarship, has had two lessons to date.