PILOTS’ LICENSES

Hokitika Guardian, 5 October 1932, Page 2

PILOTS’ LICENSES

BN'DOItiSIEMEtNT CONDITIONS. REGULATION MODIFIED. - • WELLINGTON, October 3. By a notice ‘to airmen, the Director of Air Services,'. Squadron-Leader T. Al. Wilkes has abolished the regulation, which made it, compulscory for pilots holding A licenses to do 40 hours’ solo flying before they allowed to carry passengers. The notice states that the following provisions concerning the endorsement of pilots’ A licenses, permitting the carriage- of passengers not for hire, or reward, will be incorporated in the regulations that are to be gazetted under the Air Navigation Act passed last year:

-“A private. pilot’s license granted to a pilot with less than 40 hours’ flying, experience in sole charge of a flying machine will b« limited to- solo flying, with the provision that the restriction may be -removed prior to the 40 hours’ solo flying on the production of a certificate from a licensed

instructor that the .pilot has (a) completed 25 hours’ solo flying; (b) satisfactorily completed an advanced dual course, of not less than three hours’ duration; and (c) provided that he has made a successful cross-country flight of 50 miles.” ■The notice states that advanced dual will not be counted unless the pilot has deme a minimum of 15 hours’ solo before taking the course. At the conference of the New Zealand aero clubs in July Inst, it was deckled to seek amendment to the regulations so that all advanced dual instruction and cross-country flying in company with a B pilot should be counted toward the 40 hours ’flying required for the endorsement, o-f the license*;. The club’s request- did. not gain official approval, however, and now Ilic :ne\v regulation has been made in conformity with the Australian practice. It is one. which .will prove popular with the pilots, and at the same time .provides ;for an advanced dual course at a stage in a pilot’s career at which it would be most beneficial. Advanced -ual instruction has been purely optional , but • the new, regulation, by reducing the amount of solo necessary in return for advanced instruction, will raise the standard of private pilots. It will also" reduce the cost of gaining the endorsement.