TRAINING FINISHED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20096, 16 November 1939, Page 4

TRAINING FINISHED

FLYING-BOAT OFFICERS AOTEAROA’S PERSONNEL (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. Training as a prospective flying-boat commander for Tasman Empire Airways, Limited, on the service between Auckland and Sydney, has been completed by Mr. W. J. Craig, who came to New Zealand some months ago as first officer of the flying-boat Aotearoa.

Mr.. Craig has now done all the necessary training, including nightflying practice with take-offs and landing on the Auckland harbour, to fit him to command the Aotearoa should the need arise.

Two other members of the crew, Messrs. F. B. Chapman, first officer, and Mr. C. A. Macdonald, second officer, have also done extensive training since the machine reached New Zealand. Thus the delay in commencing the service, largely resulting from the war, has not resulted in time being wasted. Various officers have been able to finish their training instead of undertaking this work between commercial flights.

The company required the commander and the first officer of each machine to be the holders of first-class navigator’s licenses. These qualifications are held by Captain Burgess, Mr. Craig and Mr. Chapman. Second officers must possess B pilot’s licenses, second-class navigator's licenses and wireless-telegraphy licenses.

Further flights in the course of the training of the personnel were made yesterday. It is possible that the machine will be used for nightflights next week.