SCHEME FOR FLYING INSTRUCTION

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 14533, 29 November 1947, Page 3

SCHEME FOR FLYING INSTRUCTION

AIR TRAINING CORPS

APPROVAL OF MINISTER OF DEFENCE

(P.A.) Christchurch, Nov. 28. Details of the Air Training Corps scheme for flying instruction, which has been approved by the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, were given today by Squadron Leader G. Fitzwater, commanding officer of the South Island wing of the corps. He said the plan provided for 30 hours of flying instruction. The selected cadets would be trained up to Air Force requirements by aero club instructors.

Squadron Leader Fitzwater said all squadrons were being given a chance to nominate candidates for the course. All the 57 candidates selected were from squadrons within a reasonable distance of an aero club.

"These flying schemes arc a permanent arrangement, and further candidates will be selected later," he said. Cadets selected for the first course would be medically examined before training. Their flying would all be clone outside working hours, in the week-end and in the early morning and evening. Each course would take six months or more. The aircraft used for the training would be mostly Moths.' It was hoped to get the first cadets into the air before Christmas. The scheme was discussed in "Wellington last week at a meeting of representatives of the Royal New Zealand Aero Club and the Minister of Defence. It is understood that a statement concerning this meeting will soon be issued.