AIR TRAINING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24400, 11 September 1940, Page 11

AIR TRAINING

NORTH TAIERI STATION RAPID EXPANSION IN RECENT MONTHS OUTPUT OF PILOTS DOUBLED Since the Royal New Zealand Air Force Station came into . existence at North Taieri. towards the end of October last year, there has been a rapid expansion that has kept in step with the speeding up of air training schemes throughout the Empire. ' In a little over ten months, the output rate of pilots has been more than doubled, and added facilities have, been provided from time to time. The total strength of the station has steadily increased until there are nearly ,300 men at North Taieri to-day. To keep pace with the increase in

the number of pilots being trained, it : has, of course, been necessary to acquire more training planes. In the early months of the station’s existence, there were 16 planes available. Today that number has been more than doubled. A new system was recently introduced by. which 20 planes are in the air at once, and this has enabled sufficient flying to be done, even during the shorter days of winter. The remarkable weather experienced in Otago this winter has assisted greatly in the training of the increased number of pilots. Flying has been carried but between 7.30 a.m. and 3 p.m., and the fine weather, has enabled the various drafts to complete their training well up to time. Soon the summer time table will be reverted to, and the day’s flying will commence with the “ dawn patrol ” at 6 a.m. In recent months, a regulation was issued making it compulsory for everyone going up for a flight to wear a parachute. The aircraftmen are issued with a parachute before each flight and these have.to be checked in when they complete their spell in the air.' The parachutes are carefully looked after. They are dried each day in a special drying apparatus, and once a month are repacked and examined. The pilots are given instruction in the use Of parachutes in case it ever should become necessary for them to “bale out.” Another item of- equipment has been issued i to each pilot for winter flying. This is a new leather flying suit, lined with clipped wool and made easy to don by means of numerous iip fasteners. These suits recently arrived from England,, and, as North Taieri was regarded- as the coldest station in the Dominion*. the first batch Was sent,to the most southerly training School." Needless to say, they have been greatly appreciated bv the oiTots. The .increased number of planes has resulted in improved refuelling methods being adopted. Two new fuel tankers now carry out the job of refuelling the planes, and they are specially equipped to make the refuelling quick, easy and efficient. .Fuelling is an important part of the ground staff’s work, and it is surprising how much petrol passes from the large underground tanks to the planes each month. ,/-,.,s€Veral, new buildings have been -erected at. the station in recent months and... additional, recreational facilities provided, A new dry and wet canteen has been; provided, and a new guard-room, dentaLhut, transport quarters and lecture rooms have been added. ITJjfire'•art;-two-"t#imisV|Bourts for the trieri'is leisure hours, arid the parade grd.und-Jsgradually being put into first clmsTorder. . An acquisition to the quadrangle is ai flag-pole from which the. Royal New Zealand " Air Force flag flies every day. A full-time medical officer and\a dental , officer are now on the station on account of the increased personnel. All over- the station construction Work, is always being carried out. and improveiriehts . ate Continually being effeeted- expansion has-'beem-rapid ■ and notable in "the.pasti .andmO doubt itlwill continue so ifi the future.