REAL “SKY PILOTS.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1680, 1 March 1917, Page 4

REAL “SKY PILOTS.”

CHAPLAINS FOR AIR SERVICE,

The accession of the Rev. Haslam to the R.F.C. appears as if it may bring forth a, new grade in the Air Services. In no less an oracle than the Guardian a plea, for ‘‘sky-pilots" is put forward by the Rev. 11. K. Bros, chaplain 2nd Cavalry Brigade, writing from No. 1 N.Z. Hospital, France. Thusly he. interprets the possibilities of such an innovation, and apparently has the backing of the common or garden strafing pilot to that end: “I believe I am right in saying that every branch of the service has its chaplain except the air service. Would it not be possible to have real ‘sky pilots’ attached to the Flying Corps at various ‘wing’ or squadron headquarters, who might hold services, when possible, and look after the social side of the mechanics’ life —a life which I am told by those who should know is very laborious? I have recently while in hospital met several, officers in the Flying Corps, and they all seem to think that it would be a very good thing if chaplains could be attached to the air service. At the present time a branch of the service whose members perhaps are in more constant danger than any other branch appears to be somewhat left out in the matter of spiritual ministrations.”