Air Force Is Still Seeking Trained Staff

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 94, 11 September 1950, Page 6

Air Force Is Still Seeking Trained Staff

After five yeai’s of peacetime development the R.N.Z.A.F. is still short of trained men. The air force is at present undergoing a period of revision and training in an effort to keep pace with the rapid advance being made in modern, civil and military aviation.

Typical of many similar stations is the air force establishment at Ohakea. Against a background of operational flying training several courses are being held for ground trades. Most courses train small numbers over a long period. Technical training wings have been established at Hobsonville and Wigram. At the beginning of April there were 207 engineering trainees. In the electrical and wireless sections at Wigram 88 were being trained. Administrative and domestic courses were being held for £7 members, including the Women's auxiliary Air Force. The school of administration has been started at Whenuapai. During the year ended March 756 airmen and airwomen were tested in trades. Formerly accommodated at Rongotai the trade test board moved to the Woodbourne station in February this year. To uphold the discipline of the service special general service instructors are now being trained. Recruit training is carried out at Wigram.

Photographers, medical aids, W.A.A.Fs. transport drivers and others form the nucleus of the training courses at Ohakea. In most cases theory work is carried out in special class rooms and practical work is done at Ohakea or other stations. New courses recently started at Ohakea include air traffic control.

During 1949 training at the Flying Training School, Wigram reached full peacetime activity. Special courses were held for pilot and navigator training, and there were navigation and armament courses. The intake of new cadets was limited to 12 every four months. Three courses of flying instruction were completed by Central Flying School, Wigram, and 14 officers and n.c.os received flying instructors’ categories.

The instrument weather school at Wigram is responsible for the standard of instrument flying throughout the R.N.Z.A.F. To maintain the policy of the air force of keeping skeleton squadrons in operation many men of high technical qualifications are needed as they will be under the policy of replacing present first-line aircraft with jets. Tffius the high reputation of R.N.ZA.F. ground services will be upheld.