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Aviation History
1928
1928 - 0882.PDF
fc--r*i»**n™*v--"f SEPTEMBER 20( 1928 THE LIGHT 'PLANE CLUBS OF CANADA THE Light 'Plane Club movement' in Canada is now well established, after an astonishing mushroom growth. The formation of Light Aeroplane Clubs was officially sanctioned and encouraged by an Order-in-Council of September 24, 1927, the Government having decided to assist in the forma- tion of clubs in the chief centres of population—on similar lines to those obtaining in the Mother Country. For this purpose, funds were provided in the estimates for the financial year 1927-28, sufficient for the purchase of ten light 'planes as an initial issue to five clubs. The response to this scheme, however, was so prompt and gratifying, that the Government decided to increase the amount so as to provide for a further ten clubs ; this was included in the estimates for 1928-29. Under the Canadian scheme a club is required to provide a suitable flying ground or seaplane station ; adequate facilities for housing, repair and maintenance of aircraft and material ; provide the services of an instructor and a licensed air engineer, and to have ten members qualified as pilots and 30 members prepared to qualify as pilots. To clubs complying with these requirements the Govern- ment issued two complete light planes, with, if necessary, an additional machine each year for five years, provided the club maintained at its own expense aircraft equal in value to such additional Government equipment. The Government also makes a grant of S100 per ab initio pupil who qualifies for a pilot's certificate, up to a total sum not exceeding $3,000in any one year. The 15 " approved " clubs have already been formed, andseveral are now "going strong' turning' out pilots—as we have reported in previous issues of FLIGHT. The " fifteen"are located at the following centres :•— Montreal. Ottawa. Toronto. London, Ont. Winnipeg. Halifax. Granby, P.O. Hamilton. Border Cities (Windsor). Kegina. Moose Jaw. Saskatoon. Edmonton. Vancouver. Victoria. In addition to these approved clubs, others, as in the Mother Country, are being formed to the extent of a dozen or so, in various parts of the Dominion. One, for instance, has been formed in Ouebec City, but is, we understand, without an aerodrome ! Others have been formed at St. John, N.B., and Kingston, Ont. Anyway, the Club movement is progres- sing as rapidly as a Canadian forest fire, and private flying is, as a result, growing apace also. Needless to say, the D.H. " Moth "—which is used extensively by the Clubs—is breeding in large numbers, as is recorded elsewhere in this Canadian section of FLIGHT. 13 El THE AIRCRAFT INDUSTRY IN CANADA ARMSTRONG SIDDELEY ACTIVITIES ARMSTRONG SIDDELEY MOTORS, Limited, the allied company of Sir \V. G. Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft, Limited, have undoubtedly played a large part in stimulating the progress of aviation in Canada during recent years. To give the utmost, quickest and best possible service, Armstrong Siddeley Motors, Limited, have, in conjunction with the Ottawa Car Company, established a service station at Ottawa, where the engines in use in Canada may, when necessary, be sent for complete overhaul by highly-skilled Armstrong Siddeley engineers. Thus the loss of valuable flying time is avoided. It is interesting to note that this firm is the first British aeroplane facton,- to commence operations in Canada, and it was only after the quiet but thorough study of all the complex problems which are fundamental to successful flying in Canada that the service station referred to above was opened up and equipped. A conservative estimate of one hundred thousand dollars represents the expenditure Armstrong Siddeley Motors have incurred in research and actual flying experience both in summer and winter up to June of this year in an endeavour to assist Canadian aviation. The variation of the climatic conditions in the northern latitudes are considerable, the extreme temperature ranging from zero weather in the winter months to extremely hot days during the summer. Con- siderable difficulties and intricate problems have arisen due to these conditions, and such obstacles as carburatiui, oil temperature, low freezing fuels and the deterioration of wood construction have been met and thoroughly mastered by the Armstrong Siddeley engineers after exhaustive tests, with the result that the Royal Canadian Air Force have stan- dardised the Siskin all-steel single-seater aircraft for the fighter units and Armstrong Siddeley radial air-ccoled engines are now in extensive use all over the Dominion. The Lynx engine, which is being used in connection with forest "fire prevention and survey work over a vast unpopulated terri- tory, performed with such success that during the whole of the 1927 season's flying no forced landings or involuntaiy st<ps were reported. This record is considerable in viiw of the difficulties faced and overcome, which were quite The Armstrong Siddeley Plant at Ottawa 818
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