AIR PILOTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 20, 25 January 1939, Page 6

AIR PILOTS.

THE CIVIL RESERVE. SURPLUS OF APPLICANTS. WOMEN MAKE INQUIRIES. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WiJLLIXGTOX, Tuesday. An enthusiastic response has been made by young men wishing to join the civil reserve or air pilots. In addition, although not making formal application, a number of women have inquired about their prospects of being admitted to the reserve. They have been informed by the Air Department that only men are required. Applications were called on January 12 for the 11139-40 quota of trainees, but so great is the interest in aviation that : 380 inquiries were made 'within the ' first week for the 100 vacancies available. The Air Department called applications from young men of good ; education and physique who were willing to devote their spare time to learning to. fly. It: addition to the 380 inquiries, there were 30 held over from the previous year. The closing date for applications is not until February 10. Candidates are also required for short service commissions in the Royal Air Force. An announcement to this effect was made on January 14, and in this case ajrain there is no shortage of applicants. The closing date is February 15, but in the first week 180 inquiries were received, in addition to which 100 were made before the announcement. The number of short service commissions available to Xew Zealanders will not be known until the Air Ministry makes its allocations, but last year 150 direct entry candidates were received.

In addition to these, 50 candidates were trained at Wigram, also for the r ßoyal Air Force. The first batch will leave for England in the near future.