AIRMEN

New Zealand Listener, Volume 30, Issue 764, 12 March 1954, Page 13

AIRMEN

FRIGATE BIRD, by P. G. Taylor; Angus and Robertson, Australian price 18/6. TEST PILOT, by Neville Duke; Allan Wingate, English price 12/6. "| HERE is a legend in aviation circles that when ‘someone asked Orville Wright why he so seldom lectured he replied, "The parrot is the only bird that talks much and he’s a darned poor flyer." The story may not be true, but the sentiments are, because the sort of person who makes an outstanding pilot seldom makes a good author. There are exceptions to this, such as Antoine de St. Exupéry; and, judging by Frigate Bird, P. G. Taylor. He writes of his flight from Australia to South America and return, which he undertook because of his conviction that an air route across the South Pacific will be essential in the not too distant future. This is an exciting book, sincerely written, by a man who obviously loves the air, Captain Taylor has been flying for over 30 years. His experience and air wisdom, coupled with his ability as an author, lead one to hope that he will one day be persuaded to write a textbook on airmanship. It would be of. great value to pilots of lesser experience. It is difficult to say if Neville Duke is an exception to the rule or not,. as the authorship is shared with Alan W. Mitchell. Test Pilot gives the story of the boy who spent his days watching aeroplanes and building models, who grew up to be a much decorated Squadton Leader, and who then reached the very top of his profession as Chief Test Pilot of the Hawker Company. It illustrates very well how the test pilot of today is far removed from the all-out, hit-or-miss daredevil of the Hollywood films of a few years ago. The descriptions of the tests of the Hawker Hunter show how, nowadays, the test pilot needs an_ ever-increasing technical knowledge to supplement his flying

skill.

B.

C.