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Aviation History
1929
1929 - 0873.PDF
FLIGHT, APRIL 25. D RfVA FLYING A Sectionllof FLIGHT in the Interests of the Private Owner, Owner-Pilot, and Club Member A FLIGHT TO NEW ZEALAND IN A CIRRUS-SPARTAN PLANNED Lady Bailey Performs Christening Ceremony WHENjthe war finished it stranded thousands of pilotsand observers who felt that no career could be facedunless it was a flying career. The R.A.F. had no further opportunity to utilise their experience and services,and so they turned and tried to storm civil aviation The situation of civil aviation then quickly disillusioned them,and sadly and reluctantly they drifted to other fields in industry, believing that a flying career was for ever deniedthem. .jl'ntil the appearance of the light aeroplane there was stilllittle hope for them, but now the light aeroplane has slowly been opening a narrow channel for their return. It isproviding a new flying career for some, and the sport of flying for others. This has been in evidence for some time in thelong distance flights to various parts of the world. So many of the pilots concerned in these flights are making a returnto aviation after a lapse since the war. The light aeroplane has largely made this possible. These ex-pilots who hadto accept the alternative of finding a new career, in some cases abroad, are trickling back to this country, spurred by theworld success of the light aeroplane, purchasing a machine and attempting to fly back to their adopted country after abrief refresher course. Although many of them are taking up their old flying career again through the medium of privateflying, they yet cherish the ambition of breaking into com- mercial aviation from private flying, which gives them anopportunity of rekindling their skill and becoming familiar with modern design. Some- are flying back with agencies for British light'planes.in their possession, to countries where they will be pioneers in the light 'plane movement, faced, therefore, withevery chance of success. Ex-R.F.C. Member's Venture An example of this return of the ex-war pilot to aviationis connected with the proposed flight to New Zealand from England by Mr. Frank Mase. He is using a Simmonds" Cirrus-Spartan " light 'plane which was christened The All Black at Croydon on April 19 by Lady Bailey, whoarrived at the aerodrome in her Gipsy-Moth G-AAEE. His- " Spartan " machine is standard except for a large tankin the front passenger seat with a capacity of 80 gallons. There are also two separate gravity tanks each containing10 gallons of fuel. The advantages of this dual gravity tank system areconsiderable. There is, of course, an alternative fuel svstem [" FUGBT " Photograph The Hon- Lady Bailey christening the Simmonds " Cirrus-Spartan " light 'plane "The All Black " dt Croydon Aerodrome on April 19. In this machine Mr. Frank Mase will attempt a solo flight to New Zealand shortly. 341
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