WIGRAM BUSY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 7, 9 January 1930, Page 8

WIGRAM BUSY.

! ■ ! PILOTS' REFRESHER COURSE. AERIAL BATTLE PLANNED. '' APPRENTICES IN TRAINING. i (fiy Telegraph.^—Own fcorresponaentJ CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday. A revival, of New Zealand Air Force activities is evident at Wigram aerodrome— headquarters of the force and the scene of keen strivings by young New Zealanders, for love as well as duty, to qualify in various phases of defence aviation. The aerodrome presents a busy appearance — perhaps the busiest Since war days. Nine pilot officers have resumed their training, in their third year, and one army officer, Captain A. D. Neville, N.Z.S.C, drafted from Wellington to Air Force headquarters, is learning to fly, although his future duties will be on the administrative side. Newer still, 15 apprentices to the permanent mechanical and rigging units, chosen from over 800 applicants, are tasting the first joys of their life's work and fitting old conceptions of their 18 .summers into the new background and foreground of whirring propellers (soon to be called "props" with airs of familiarity) and stunting 'planes as. their daily environment. After the nine pilot-officers have completed their courses on January 31, more experienced pilots from all parts of the Dominion will go into residence at the barracks for their annual refresher Course. Pilot Officers' Programme. The names of the pilot officers whose rank now equals that of second lieutenant in the army, are Pilot Officers J. M. Buckeridge (New Plymouth Boys' High School), E. S. Henderson (Ashburton Technical College), C. 0. Hunter (Auckland Grammar v School), J. Goodhart (Cliristchurch Boys' High School), J. C. Maclaine and H. S. T. WeSton (Christ College, M. Wilkes (Nelson College), L. F. Taylor (Southland Boys' High School), and G. E. Watt (Hamilton High School). Their programme will include two or three hours each in flying Avro machines, solo and dual, Instruction in Bristol fighters, some hours solo flying in them, and then will commence tuition in applied flying in formation, cross-coun* try cruißing, firing machine guns in the air at water targets at Lake Ellesmere, dummy bomb dropping and bombing practice. In the latter tactics, white lights Will show when the pilots decide to release imaginary bombs. The circumstances surrounding the bombing will be reflected in a mirror and records will be taken of the approach to_ the target, the time of the approach, height, speed, point of release and the Straightness of the course. A single seater Glos-ter-Grebe machine will be Used for this work. It is a heavy, high-powered machine much faster than Bristol fighters. There will be lectures on radio, machine gunnery, navigation, cross-country and formation work all related to flying. An aerial battle between the pilot officers Using camera guns to register the tactics and Courses Of the 'planes, will conclude the course.

I —I ii ■■ n».n».i-—. < :^-n«»u-«»<>-*»Ki-»»-«3»"-— ►"■■»"■" Wind Provides a Test. While it is an accomplishment to handle a 'plane in the air, it is quite another to bring it safely to earth, i especially When a high wind is blowing. A strong south-easterly blowing yesterday proved a test of ability, and one Or two pilots who came down slightly acro&S the wind were not ae successful as othersj some machines tipped over, so that the underneath wing came in contact with the ground, and for fear Of doing damage the- pilots had to keep their machines stationary until assistance arrived. Incidents of this nature are to be expected during the refresher course, for every young pilot has to learn. On finishing at the end of the training course at the end of this month, the nine pilots, or as many as wish to do so, will sit for an examination to enable them to enter the Air Force permanent staff. The actual number of vacancies has not yet been assessed, but tho maintenance and repair work following the increased use of machines has created the need for more permanent pilots. Apprentices Very Keen. The apprentices are at present occupying tents near the hangars, but it may be that in the near future additions will be made to the barracks. They commenced their careers by learning how to swing propellon! of Moths and contrasts in size, and a matter not quite SO easy to do as to see. General attention to 'planes preparing to take to the air is given in the preliminary stages and it Bhould not bo long, judging" by tho keenness of the apprentices and the rapid-fire questions they ask the instructors, befc-re they prove very useful, in lightening the burdens of routine work. Detail* of the present strength of men and equipment Wei'e given by _ the officer in command at Wigram, FlightLieutenant M. W. Buckley. There are three commissioned officers at Wigram. They have lately dropped their title of captain, etc., which terms were really army ranks, and taken on the ranknames of the R.A.F. Associated With Flight-Lieut. Buckley are Flight Lieutenant H. B. Burrell and Flying Officer T. J. Denton, who is equipment officer. The nOn-commissiOned officers consist of three flight sefgeahts, one sergeant, four corporals and 11 air mechanics, besides the 15 apprentices who have just commenced their work. Seventeen 'planes are at present at Wi»ram, which has six hangars and one large store tank. The Canterbury Aero Club also has a hangar on the same Ground. The 'planes are made up as follows: FoUr Moths, four AvrOS, five Bristol fighters, three Gloster Grebes and one D.H. 50-passenger machine. There have never been more than 20 'plane?, located at Wigram.