IN THE AIR

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 59, Issue 55, 5 April 1930, Page 8

IN THE AIR

TO-DAY'S BIG PAGEANT AT HASTINGS. GREAT GATHERING OF 'PLANES. All roads to-day led to the Hawke's Bay Aero Club's aerodrome at Longlands, where the club's second annual air pageant was held. For weeks past the Aero Club officials have had a busy time preparing for this great event, and it was gratifying to them to know that the weather favoured them, and that their efforts to create interest amongst the public had met with so much success. This public interest was evidenced early in the morning, when crowds of cars commenced to wend their way to the 'drome, the crowd in the afternoon swelling to large proportions. This interest was not confined to the district, for to help make the pageant a success, fliers came from all parts of the Dominion, and it was anticipated that during the afternoon, no less than 18 aeroplanes would be in attendance. All the planes are of the Gypsy Moth or Spartan type, there being two from Christchurch, Miss Aroha Clifford's Avro-Avian and the Canterbury Aero Club's Moth, piloted by Captain J. C. Mercer and R. S. Taylor. The Government sent three machines, all "targets," piloted by Squadron Leader Isitt, Captain Buckley, and Flight-Lieut. H. Burrell. Auckland was responsible for six of the visiting 'planes, the Auckland Aero Club sending four Moths, piloted by Captain Saunders and E. R. Boucher, Captain Seabrook and G. M. Firth, Lieut. Allen and P. Seabrook, and Captain Bloomfield and Falcon Airways, Ltd. A Moth in charge of Captain J. D. Hewitt and Mr Douglas Mill, of Hobsonville, in his Moth Coupe. The New Plymouth Club's Moth was piloted by Flying Officer Keith, and in the Marlborough Aero Club's Moth were Miss P. Bennett and F. R. Dix. The Wellington Aero Club sent only one 'plane, a Moth coupe, piloted by Captain Steadman, and the N.Z. Airways, Ltd., of Dunedin, sent a threeseater Spartan, piloted by Flying Officer McGoverne. Hawke's Bay provided three machines, Mr Hamish Armstrong, of Akitio, bringing his Moth, whilst the Hawke's Bay Aero Club used its Hermes Spartan, controlled by Captain T. W. White and the Moth piloted by Flying Officer Olson. The programme was a very comprehensive one, including no less than ten actual flying events. The first event was a landing competition for "A" class and Iady pilots, and in this the planes had to ascend to 500 feet, circle round the aerodrome, and land in the ring, the plane landing nearest the centre being the winner. This was followed at 11.30 a.m. by a formation flight over Hastings, Havelock North, Clive, Napier and Tara-, dale by three 'planes, so as to inform the public as to the suitability of the day for flying. At 1.45 p.m., the club's patron, the Hon. J. G. Coates, arrived at the 'drome by air, and a few minutes later he was followed by the Minister of Defence, the Hon J. G. Cobbe, and WingCommander S. Grant Dalton, Director of Air services, the latter arriving also by air. The visitors were welcomed by Sir Andrew Russell, president of the club, the Hons. J. G. Coates, J. O. Cobbe, General Young and Wing Commander S. Grant Dalton replying. Following the reception, there was a taxi past, fly past and landing competition for Mrs W. G. Stead's Cup. In this event, the planes had to taxi in parade round the ground in order that they could be viewed by the public, take off and fly past the grandstand, and land in succession. The pilot making the best landing nearest the circle centre was declared the winner. An all-transport race for Mrs W. Richmond's Cup followed, in which pilots had to run a given distance, drive a car to their machines, and fly over a given circuit. The car bombing competiton for Mr Mason Chambers' trophy was very interesting. Each pilot was allowed three flour bombs with which he had to attempt to hit a moving car. The display of aerobatics was probably one of the features of the day. Several planes went into the air together and gave thrilling displays of spinning, looping, rolling, stall turns, etc., and in these stunts all the pilots proved themselves thoroughly expert. The slow race for the S. J". McKee Cup was another much-enjoyed event. In this the competitors had to take. off abreast and form a line at a height of 600 feet at one end of the drome. The last pilot to finish was the winner. The main event of the day was the New Zealand light aeroplane blue ribbon for the Newbigin Cup. The planes were handicapped according to performance and flew round the drome for a distance of ten miles. This was a highly exciting event. Great interest was taken in the height estimating competition, for which a prize of £10 was offered. Several planes went aloft to an unstated height and when the highest point was reached one of the planes fired Verey lights, it being the highest point which had to be guessed. All the arrangements for the pageant were thoughtfully and thoroughly carried out, thanks to the work of the secretary, Mr R. D. Brown, and the energetic committee, the latter especially working particularly hard to ensure success. Flight-Lieut. Burrell acted as official starter, Mr C. E. Nelson Smith being timekeeper. The handicappers were Wing-Commander S. Grant Dalton, Squadron-Leader Isitt, Captain H. C. Chambers and Captain P. K. Fowler. The judges were Wing-Commander S. Grant Dalton. Squadron-Leader Isitt and Captain Buckley. The trophies won will be presented at the aero ball which is to be held in the Hastings Assembly Hall tonight.