DUKE’S FLYING ACTIVITIES

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27472, 5 October 1954, Page 7

DUKE’S FLYING ACTIVITIES

QUESTION OF RISK RAISED ’ BRITISH NEWSPAPER ARTICLE (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) „ Ua . LONDON, October 3. i„.,ir ow * r are irreplaceable leaders of a nation justified m taking avoidable risks?” asked the “Daily artirSX h t>, ln .. re - fe . rence in a fading article to the mixture of enthusiasm ““fiety aroused by the Duke of Edinburgh s intense interest in flying, and the news that he is now flying 311 lns tructor in a jet aircraft 5^ sti ° n is delicate and the answer difficult. On one hand it may be argued that a leader is not a leader rtanJL refrai S s ? om leadin g along dangerous and safe paths alike. On the other hand his loss coulO not be contemplated with equanimity. Nobody m these days expects even commanding generals to lead assaults m person. It is recognised that to do ®°» ,f a f. from being desirable, is dereliction of duty. And what is true of generals is true of people even more highly Placed. In the two years and a half tnat the Duke has occupied the second-highest nosition in the land he has displayed outstanding zeal to see tbings tor himself in every field. By earning his pilot’s wings in the normal way, he has given direct encouragement to air-mindedness of which we stand in need. The Duke has won his spurs. At the same time he has given a stimulus to the use of helicopters, which may well play a major part in future transport. “Until a few days ago, the Duke has been flying aircraft which are comparatively slow by the latest standards, and whose sturdy design is long proven. It now seems that his intention is to pass on—as he would, of course do, if he were a serving member of a Royal Air Force squadron to flying on the highest speed aircraft, the liability of which to accident is naturally greater. ‘*All flying entails some risk which is freely accepted by those who would fly against the enemy in the event of war, or must earn their living in civil flying. “But for him a conflict arises at some stage between the proper desire of a leader to set an example, and his duty not to hazard a life which is precious no less to the nation than to the Queen. The way having been pointed, perhaps this stage has been reached," says the newspaper.