AIRLINE PILOTS’ TRAINING

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28160, 26 December 1956, Page 9

AIRLINE PILOTS’ TRAINING

WANGANUI SCHOOL’S PLANS (New Zealand Press Association) WANGANUI, December 25. From Northland to Southland, young men are coming to Wanganui to train at New Zealand’s only approved commercial flying school. The school has been in operation for three years, but it has received the Air Department's approval. . Instrument rating will now be obtainable at the school, a commercial branch of the Wanganui Aero Club, and with it New Zealanders will be able to travel abroad in answer to advertisements by such airlines as 8.0.A.C. and Swissair.

There is a world shortage of airline pilots and New Zealanders have a reputation of resourcefulness and initiative welcome in the industry.

Full approval for the school now means that pilots have to log only 150 hours instead of the previous 200 before they can get their licences.

In an effort to reduce the waiting list the school is to take on a fourth instructor and will increase the number of courses a year to four. This will double the output of the school and will mean that pupils will be sitting each of the four civil aviation examinations.

The chief instructor at the school (Mr B. W. F. Dalcom) said the school’s Tri-pacer was being equipped for full instrument rating. In the new year the club will get a new Piper trainer (a Super-Cub) from America.