nine months in THE AIK

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22245, 9 November 1937, Page 10

nine months in THE AIK

PILOT LOGS 5000

HOURS

TOTAL REACHED IN 21

YEARS (furs* ASSOCIATION TTI.M9AB.) GISBORNE, November 8. After 21 years as an aviatoi. Squadron Leader T. W. White, chief pilot of East Coast Always, Ltd., completed 5000 hours in the air on the return journey from Palmerston North to Gisborne on Sunday afternoon. Considered to be one of the most cautious pilots in the Dominion, he has a remarkable record to his credit. When he was flying over Fernhill, about 10 minutes before landing at Napier, he officially logged 5000 hours. This achievement represents nearly nine months of constant flying. Learning to fly in the boxkite types of machines m 1916, he saw service as an aviator during the war, and at the armistice entered commercial: aviation. In the years since he has flown in many parts ot the world and seen many revolutionary changes in aircraft, flying altogether 38 different types. A New Zealander by birth, he served with the Royal Flying Corps during the war, and had the experience of being a prisoner of war, having been shot down from a height of 18,000 feet. He landed in enemy territory and was held prisoner for 20 months. In 1921 he held the office of Director of Air Services under the Fijian Government. _ Joining the staff of East Coast Airways with the inauguration of the service in April, 1935,- he has retained his association with this company ever since.