LEARNING TO FLY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3953, 8 June 1929, Page 1

LEARNING TO FLY.

Mr. “Bob” Linkla'ter, son of Mr. J. LiiMater, M.P., ! who recently underwent a coulrse of training at 'the Sociktburn Aviation School, delivered an 'interesting address at the Palmerston Optimists Club recently. He said the first essential was physical fitness, good eyesight and nerves. Then follows ground instruction and a thorough knowledge of the mechanismi and use of the controls. The first flight is under the direction of the instructor. He ■then described the course of training until competent to take a solo flight. ‘This, the trainee nevetr forgets and is a little neirve-racking. One has not the comforting presence of the instructor in the front seat to fall back upon should anyI thing go wrong. I felt very confident, said Mr. Linldater, on my first solo flight, as 1 had had a good deal of training under dual control in rough weather and clouds previously and had gained any air sense. I took off and circled the drolme and went for a small flight and came badk and made a good landing, thus disappointing the mechanics. After the first solo flight the trainee devotes much time to various stunts, such as spinning, looping, etc., rental competent to handle a ’plane in any position in the air. Having arrived at this stage he is ready to go through his tests, which are very severe. Speaking of flying generally, Mr. Linldater did not think that at the present stage of development in Niew Zealand flying is much good from a. commercial standpoint except, perhaps, for joy riding. The country needs more good landing places, and the establishment of Vorc aeti’o clubs for the training of pilots. Plying is fascinating and the more one does of it the more ■one likes it, said Mr. Linldater. Of course there are a number of people who would never he able to fly. The best way to test one self is to take a passenger risk. K you are nervous or scared it is better to leave flying alone. Flying needs a Hear head, a light hand, a fair amount of nerve and plenty of common sense and caution. A reckless or careless man would not make a good pilot and Would probably do a lot of damage if he survived at all. In imy opinion it will not he long before planes will have reached such development that they may he handled much easier and more safely than they are to-day, and there will be a day when they will probably be as widely used as the motor-car. Mjr. Linldater stressed the point that an aero club is vitally necessary in this district.