TRAINING PILOTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 June 1939, Page 4

TRAINING PILOTS

FREE TUITION AVAILABLE BUILDING UP CIVIL RESERVE. ADVANTAGES OF SCHEME. The advantages of receiving flying tuition under the Government’s scheme for training men for-the Civil Reserve of Pilots were stressed this morning by Mr. L. F. Gray, secretary of the Wairarapa and Ruahine Aero Club, in an' interview with a "Times-Age" representative. Mr. Gray pointed out that the scheme offered an unrivalled opportunity to receive free flying tuition spread over a period of three years and facilities, for those who desired it. to follow the career of aviation. The value of the free tuition received by a trainee could be assessed at over £2OO. Flying enthusiasts also derived considerable enjoyment by reason of their association with club members. From the defence aspect, the scheme offered an opportunity for young men to do their part in response to lhe Prime Minister's appeal. It was the duty of everyone to do something to assist the country and by receiving flying tuition under this scheme an admirable opening was presented. Mr. Gray said that so far the Wairarapa Club had trained seventeen men for the reserve. There were vacancies for a number more, though early application was desirable. Applicants must be between the ages of 17J and 25 years, must have a secondary education of a prescribed standard and must be medically fit. These qualifications were such that the average young man could probably comply with them without difficulty. No experience or knowledge of aeronautics or mechanics or anything of a similar nature was required before taking up training. Persons in all kinds of occupations made good aviators. Employers who were interested in defence, said Mr. Gray, might be able to assist the scheme by bringing it under the notice of their staffs and could perhaps help by allowing a small portion of the employees’ time for training purposes. The Civil Reserve of Pilots, he stated, had been formed with the object of providing increased opportunities for learning to fly and of building up a reserve of pilots who would be available to supplement the Air Force in times of national emergency. Pilots were not trained beyond the light aeroplane standard, but they were given sufficient experience to enable them to commence training on more powerful aircraft should the necessity arise. Apart from its value in an emergency, the reserve provided .a source from which pilots might be selected either for a commission in the Air Force or the Air Force Reserve. The only obligation on members of the reserve, apart from the initial training and two annual refresher courses, was to undertake Air Force service in times of national emergency. The initial course of flying ' and ground instruction involved forty hours' flying training and a further ten hours flying at each of the two annual refresher courses.