AERIAL DEFENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 86, 13 April 1931, Page 10

AERIAL DEFENCE.

DOMINION SYSTEM PRAISED. THE CHAIN OF 'DROMES. GOOD WORK BY AERO CLUBS. "There is probably no Government activity giving greater value for money than your present system of subsidising the training of pilots by aero clubs," declared Mr. B. Sheil, formerly of Australia, and now in New Zealand, in an interview to-day. Mr. Sheil, who is making a tour of New Zealand, expressed satisfaction with the chain of aerodromes that has been established from Tnvercargill to Auckland. "There is' just one weak link in the chain in so far as the South Island is conconcerned," said Mr. Sheil, "and that is at Kaikoura, where the establishment of even an emergency ground would provide the final link necessary for commercial aviation in the South Island. "One thing' that has impressed me more than anything else.," he said, "is the efficient manner in which the aero clubs are being utilised for the purposes of defence. It is not difficult to visuaiiaa the destruction and moral effect of hostile aircraft carriers, with a brood of bombers, standing out to sea and carrying out raids on Auckland.

Air Force Reserves. ''In the event of a national emergency arising in the Dominion, hundreds of pilots would be required. It is a matter for congratulation that the remote possibility of such an emergency is being efficiently and economically provided for under the New Zealand system of subsidising the training of pilots by the aero clubs. "These 'ab initio' pilots are examined for their 'A' tickets by officers of tho air.force, who select from them those; suitable for further training as reserve air force pilots. This system, in my opinion, in much more desirable from a defence \.(nni of view than that Which is in operation in Australia, where aero club pupils are examined by independent Civil Aviation Department officers. In the commercial field, too, this training is invaluable, for, with the gradual retirement of the experienced Cx-servico. pilots from active flying duty, a growing demand will arise for aero clubtrained men to Jill the positions of air mail and transport pilots on future New Zealand air lines." Opportunities for Young Pilots. In his opinion, the Auckland Aero Club was able to ofTer flying training comparable to anything obtainable iii Australia. Already aero club-trained pilots were occupying highly paid positions as air mail pilots in Australia. Mr. Shell, who is chief aviation officer for the Vacuum Oil Company in New Zealand, was particularly enthusiastic regarding the aerodrome at Patmerston North, which, he said, compared favourably in natural advantages with any lie bad seen. "It is not difficult to visualise the Palmerston aerodrome as the Heudon of New Zealand,", he said.