CANTERBURY AVIATORS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15989, 25 August 1917, Page 8

CANTERBURY AVIATORS.

« • EXAMINATION BY MAJOR SLEEMAN. Major J. L. Slcoman, Director of Military Training, visited the Canterbury Aviation Company's grounds yesterday for the purpose of examining six of tho pupils there for their flying certificates. In a way this was somewhat of an event for Canterbury, and, in fact, for New Zealand, for it is tJie first tune in its history tnat men have gained tneir certificates tor flying aeroplanes, tiiougii several certificates have been granted lor seaplane flyers. The six pupils who were examined wero 12. Wilding (Christchurch), H. N. Hawker (New iingliton), J. K. Stevens (NeiV Brighton), C. J. McFadden (St. Albans), L. A. Limbrick (Napier), and IS. J". Orr (Napier). There was a small gathering of interested people on tho ground, including Colonel Chaffey and Mr H. F. Wigram, and they wero able to see a really splendid exhibition of flying by the young men. To a layman the forenoon Boemed perfect for flying, but, as a matter of fact, Mr C. M. Hill, tho instructor, stated that it was decidedly tricky. Thero was a ■fitful wind, and the general conditions were such that it would not havo been considored suitable for an examination in flying at the Hondon aerodrome in England. This, of course, made the splendid exhibition put up by tho pupils all the more creditable. Mr Hill states that he is'immensely pleased with tho performances all through, and he thinks it is an absolute record for any flying school to put through six'men in under four hours, and on one machine. The test each man had to perform was to rise, make fivo figures of 8 in the air, land within 50 yards of a mark, rise and repeat the test, land again, and then fly to an altitude.of not less than 350 feet and volplane down with the engine stopped. Major Sleeman expressed himself as most favourably impressed with the performance of all the men, and gavo "The Press" reporter to understand that all had gained their certificates. Tho test, ho said, was quite as severe as any imposed at Homo for a certificate, and he was very nleasc-d with tho cool resolute stylo of the nunils. Tho newly-passed men will probably leave for Wellington on Monday evening, and it is wept" 1 tod that after a short course of drill, and a medical examination, they will leave for England in a few weoks.

It is anticipated that another three or four pupils will bo sufficiently advanced to fly for their "ticket" in a week or so.