operations were somewhat limited during the second world war, and essendon airport subsequently became the primary commercial airport for melbourne, the increased airliner traffic limiting private operations. thus, in december 1949 the club transferred to and became the first operator on what were once market-gardens on centre dandenong road, at the newly established moorabbin airport, southeast of the city. a massive growth in the number of flying hours took place in the 1950s and 1960s, aided in part by a commonwealth government edict providing some subsidies for private flying training.