N.Z. AIR FORCE

Hokitika Guardian, 5 August 1927, Page 4

N.Z. AIR FORCE

PEAKS FOK IBEYEEOPMENT. WjEI.EINCTON, Aug. 2. The development of the New Zealand Air Force is dealt with ill the Defence Report, which was submitted lo the House io-day. The (J.Major-denernl IE Young snvs that the total number of serviceable aircraft held on charge or shortly due to arrive at the AYigram Aerodrome is sixteen machines of various types, one DllsO being a civil type imported for photographic survey work. Of the fifteen service type aircraft, five machines formed part of the Imperial gill of aeroplanes in 1919, and, as pointed out in last year's report, they are obsolete, and therefore ditlieuit and expensive to maintain. It is estimated that with care they can ne kept airworthy on present supplies for another twelve months. To all intents the air fleet now consists of five Avros fat) initio training aircraft) and five Bristol Fighters (Army co-operation aircraft), indicating a retrograde movement as far ns the number of avniiblo aircraft is concerned.

In order to equip 1 lie composite squadrons to be formed at Wigrain Aerodrome and Hobsonvillo, it. is essential that a definite programme of annual purchase should be laid down and adhered to and an increased expenditure on the air services will he required. A suggested scheme of progressive purchase of service and training arcraft has been prepared.As this programme is spread over a considerable period it is not possible to state definitely the annual expenditure involved, but it. is under £.'35.000 until the years 1930-32 when the purchase of living boats brings the expenditure uj> to £50,000 for those two years. Several alternative schemes and plans of the layout of the Hobsonvillo combined landplane. and seaplane station have now been received from the Air Mininstrv for consideration, and it is proposed to ask for funds to proceed with development work when a decision has been arrived at. The time has now arrived when it is of vital necessity that al> initio training of pilots and technical training of mechanics be undertaken to proide an efficient territorial air force. Tt is proposed to enlist up to a maximum of ten cadets for train-

ing as pilots and to enrol approximately twenty mechanics from trades allied to the various air force duties. The cadet pilots will if possible be drawn from engineering students at the Universities and he given three moths’ continuous training in flying and air service duties, whilst the mechanics will be given training comparable in duration to that of the territorial land forces.

The report also says that the strength of the force is now five officers and 14 other ranks on the permanent staff and 101 Territorial officers. The demand for aerial surveys by local bodies is increasing.