DEVELOPMENT OF AIRCRAFT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 48, 6 December 1946, Page 3

DEVELOPMENT OF AIRCRAFT

EMPIRE TAKES LEAD SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR TEST PILOTS (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.). LONDON, December 5. Britain is giving the world a lead in the development of aircraft design. In an endeavour. to produce new types of high quality in the shortest time she is also training a new type of airman. He is a test pilot with exceptional flying ability combined with thorough technical knowledge and training. The objective is to reduce wasted time in the development of new aircraft by the close co-operation of test pilots with designers. In the- past, test pilots “just happened.” They were selected chiefly for their flying ability, hut with no special training and "with technical knowledge acquired more or less casually. During the war the casualty rate of test pilots became alarmingly high, and three years ago it was decided to form an Empire test pilots school, Now at Cranfield, near Bedford, it is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of supply, under Air Marshal Sir W. Alec . Cory ton, and commanded by Group Captain H. J. Wilson, who a year ago t established a world speed record of 606 miles an hour. It has trained 100 pilots at work at experimental stations and factories. International Flavour The school has an international flavour, for in addition to men from the R.A.F. and the Dominions there are also American, Chinese, Greek, French and Norwegian pupils. So far three New Zealanders—R. M. Trousdale, H. N. Sweetman and J. B. Starky—have passed through the school, but since no testing is carried out in the Dominion only New Zealanders serving in the R.A.F. with permanent commissions may be expected to take the course in future. The course lasts seven months at Cranfield, followed by a period at the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough and another period visiting aircraft production firms. There is an average of 1000 applicants for each course from which less than 40 are selected. The chief qualities required, in addition to above-the-average flying ability, are patiefice, knowledge of engineering and advanced mathematics. ,' The pilots fly a wide variety of aircraft, including Meteors, Vampires, Lincolns, Lancasters, Vikings/ Mosquitos, Sjeafires, Fireflies, Spitfires, Harvards and Oxfords, with the objective of being able to go to any country and give a comprehensive report on any type of aircraft. This Empire school is the only one in the world. In addition to working in close .co-operation with the industry there is a firm liaison Detween the three services. The test pilot’s course is described as one of the best offered by the R.A.F. It is expensive, but it is believed it will pay rapid dividends by aiding Britain to retain her leading place in aircraft design.