AVIATORS WANTED

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1414, 15 April 1912, Page 5

AVIATORS WANTED

BRITISH ARMY SHORTAGEGOVERNMENT ALIVE TO NEED FOR PROURESS. NEW CORPS TO BE FORMED. By Telegraph—Frews Association—Copyright (Doe. .April 14, . r ).5 p.m.) London, April I}. A War Offico memorandum slates that I lie Tripolilun war lias proved Ihe value of aeroplanes in actual win-lave. The tlovernnienl: i* impic--sed with tho condition of avialiuu in Great Britain as compared with Ihe progress made by oilier nations, and proposes lo establish a Royal Flying Corps. in addition to the Aviation School on Salisbury Plain. It is hoped that a considerable proportion of civilian aviators will join tho Rc-i-evve. To do so I hey may sevvo in ajiy part of tho world. A total of 301 aviators is wanted fo» tho Army, and 10 for tho Navy. Only CO aro training at present. It is proposed that an Air Committee shall be created as an adjunct to the Committee of Imperial Defence. AIRSHIPS FOR GET?MAN NAVY. ZEPPELINS ORDERED. (Rec. April 14, 5.5 p.m.) Berlin, April 13. The German Admiralty is negotiating with the Zeppolin Airship Company for (he delivery tf fenr or five of the most powerful Zeppelin airships within three years for Navy purposes. NEW FLYING CORPS. Till-: SCHEME DESCRIBED. Speaking in the House of Commons on March J, Colonel Seely. Under-Secretary for War, outlined the "Govern-,-nont's policy with regard to the establishment of an air corps. lie said:— As to aviation, a scheme has been prepared by the technical committee which lias been accepted by the advisory committee appointed in that connection, and has this morning been approved by tho Prime Minister. It will now bo carried into effect. There is to be one Flying Corps, embracing soldiers, sailors, and civilians—all who can fly, and will vuuterlake the obligation to serve their country in time of war in any part of tho ivorld. No man shall hold executive rank in the Flying Corps unless he is himself an expert flier. The present air_ battalion ceases lo exist, and part of it is absorbed iu the new organisation. The headquarters of the Flying Corps will bo oil Salisbury Plain, and a large tract of land has lieeu purchased for the purpose, at a cost of about -tit!).(1(10.

In the first instance, accominodatton will lie provided for sixty officers at Hie .school at any one time. There are to be three terms' of four months each, and wo propose, all being well, to pa«s fhrough JSO officers in each year. In addition, there will be non-commissioned officers and mechanics of various lands. If on oiliccv wants to join the Plying Corps lie has tirst to set the consent and approval of the military authorities. Then lie has to bo passed by the doctor. Then lie lias to obtain the Ho.val Aero Club certificate. We do not propose to use the Central Flying School for teaching officers; wo propose they should learn !he elements of the air elsewhere, and then come to the Flying School for the more advanced course.

After receiving the Hoyal Aero Club certificate, and before presenting themselves, cacli will receive .fcifi, which will cover the cost.

The military wins v:ill consist of seven aeroplane squadrons, each containing twelve aeroplanes and a suitable number of officers to fly them. There will be an eighth squadron, consisting of balloons olid kites. Tilb baloons will consist of two dirigibles which now exi-t, two flights of kites, and the prespnt frep balloons. so long as they last and tio-sibly longer, because we are told 011 nil hands that the- practice of observation in the air is verv conveniently carried cult from Hie safe'platform of the free balloon. 111 the reserve there will be two classes. Those belonging to the first will perform cross-country flights and receive a retaining fee. The second reserve will consist of thosn who have passed through the course but v;ho do not want to go through these flights or receive a retainin" fee. I shall be asked in recrard to this ambitious scheme what really is Toing to bo the total number of men who flv and how mnnvaeronlanes have yon sot,. The scheme involves the purchase of 131 aeroplanes.