Aviation

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 281, 15 November 1930, Page 12

Aviation

News and Notes

(By

“Wing Tips.”)

A Nation’s Civil Aviation Is a Measure of Its Commercial Efficiency. The Empire Is Handicapped by Air Ignorance— Help Us Conquer It !

The Desoutter. Advice was received last week-end that a Desoutter three-seater Monoplane of the latest design, with inverted Gipsy III. type engine, would be leaving Sockburu, Christchurch, on the Sunday morning for Hastings, and was expected to arrive at the aerodrome some time in the afternoon. As the afternoon wore on, and no signs of a machine were visible, members who waited on in expectation began to feel disappointed, and the absence of advice of any kind, that the machine had left and was on its way was also disconcerting. However, the monoplane arrived at Dannevirke about 5 p.m. and the pilot, Mr Ivan Kight, decided that he would stay in his home town for the night and proceed to Longlands aerodrome the following Monday. Flight Lieut. White proceeded to Dannevirke on the Monday morning, to accompany Mr Kight, for the remain der of the flight to Hastings. Mr Kight landed the machine at Longlands on Monday afternoon, terminating a successful and fast flight from Christchurch.

The average speed on the journey was 120 miles per hour and the actual flying time from Sockburn to Dannevirke was 3 hours 45 minutes. The time taken from Dannevirke to Hastings and back to the aerodrome was 30 minutes, making a total flying time of 4 hours 15 minutes from Christchurch to Hastings. Stops were made at Blenheim, Rongatai, Martinborough and Dannevirke. Conditions were good until reaching Dannevirke where gusty winds were experienced, and from there to Hastings a smooth journey was recorded. This Desoutter monoplane is something new and interesting as regards aeroplanes operating this district and it should proa great attraction to Napier and Hastings public. This week-end to visit the aerodrome for the purpose of view ing this very pretty and comfortable looking monopolane. One is impressed immediately with its sturdy, yet very graceful lines, and the finishing colour, a beautiful blue silver contrast, also adds charm. The cabin is very comfortable and roomy looking, and a full and unobstructed view is obtained from the windows. Helmets and flying suits, fur coats for that matter, are not needed in this machine. Passengers and pilots can fly in this cabin monopolane without so much as ruffling a hair. (This no doubt will suit the ladies.) Side by side seating is arranged behind the pilots seat and ample space is provided for luggage. The wing span is 35 feet and the length 25 feet. The under-carriage has a wheel base of ten feet giving the machine plenty of stability when either taking off, landing or taxi running. This particular machine is the property of the Dominion Airways Ltd. who will be using it for air-taxi work probably between Gisborne and Wellington. « « • Visit to Napier. On Wednesday afternoon last four flying enthusiasts, two from Hastings and two from Napier, took occasion to visit Napier in an effort to locate a suitable field that would make a temporary landing ground for the Hawke’s Bay and East Coast Aero Clubs machines. (Several areas were visited and the first place inspected would have been quite suitable only for telegraph lines that had been erected across it, thus lessening the area considerably. This was abandoned and further search made.

Eventually a site was found that was free of trees and power lines, and of sufficient area to make runways six hundred yards or more. This area is perfectly dry and flat at present, but in the rainy season it could not be used. However, the field could be used as a provisional land-ing-ground for about 5 or 6 months in the year, for the purposes of the Hastings Club in the matter of training Napier members and giving public joy-rides. A small amount of capital only would be required to clear sufficient width to make run-ways east and south. For that matter if Napier flying enthusiasts, together with some Hastings members were to put in a certain amount of voluntary labour, the area could be made an excellent temporary aerodrome. The Hastings Aero Club is to be recommended to adopt this field, and it will also be suggested that the club seek the help of those Napier enthusiasts, who want to learn to fly in putting the ground in satisfactory order. It is understood that about 50 Napier enthusiasts are anxious to see the Hastings Club make a move in Napier’s territory. The sooner Hastings gets going by giving present members resident in Napier, instruction (dual) there, so as to save the time and expense of travelling to Longlands, a distance of sixteen miles or more, it will make it easier for those standing back to join up us a body, or individually as members. The whole crux of the situation is this that either Napier or Hastings must make a move first. If Napier is not prepared to move and work, in getting a ground ready then Hastings must move, and call upon all the voluntary labour Napierites can give, in clearing runways on the area. A working bee of a dozen, the more the better, putting in a full day, would do wonders, and a plane could be sent over at the end of the day to try out the ground, if necessary. It would be too much, of Hastings to do do financing of paid labour in preparation of the ground, and if any join up as full flying members living in Napier, they will have to do for themselves (if they do not want to go all the way to Longlands) the same as Hastings members had to do, in getting the present aerodrome into shape. Hastings was up against it for a start, but they are proud of their efforts so far; so what is to stop those members in Napier from getting going and doing something?

Improvements at Longlands. Club members note with a good deal of satisfaction, that the long-looked-for improvements at the ’drome, are about to be carried out. The miniature sand-storms will soon be a past experience, and the visiting public will be able to view things more pleasantly. Dannevirke Service. Flight Lieut. Lett and Gd. Eng. Fellow flew to Dannevirke last Wednesday for the purpose of giving instruction, and making arrangements for a definite day on which weekly instruction will in future be carried out. This no doubt is good news to Dannevirke members who have waited so patiently. New Members’ Progress. The several new members who have started their training for A licenses are showing great aptitude, and interest in their work. It is pleasing to know that the new instructor’s work is such that this latest batch of trainees are showing marked progress for the small amount of dual given. This Week’s Flying. For the week ending November 9, the total flying time put in was 8 hours 15 minutes; made up as follows: Solo 4 hours 15 minutes; dual 2 hours 30 minutes. Passenger flights 1 hour 30 minutes. The following person took flights. The Misses Tong, Duff, Leviene, Campbell, Thornton, Hart, Gilmer, Nurse Bell Miss Gillies, Mrs Brown and Messrs Powdrell, White and Wilson.