Advanced Flying School Suggested By Mr Mathison

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29269, 29 July 1960, Page 12

Advanced Flying School Suggested By Mr Mathison

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, July 28. ■A school for training in advanced flying was suggested by the Minister of Civil Aviation (Mr Mathison) today at the annual meeting in Wellington of the Royal New Zealand Aero Club. The National Airways Corporation and Tasman Empire Airways constantly needed new pilots, he said, and the club should consider establishing such a school. Tuition could also be given to the standards for commercial and senior commercial pilots’ licenses, radio operators’ licenses and, perhaps, aircraft maintenance engineers* licences.

“This may sound ambitious and perhaps costly, but why not examine it between yourselves with N.A.C. and with the Aviation Industries Association,” he suggested. “The present nature of training does not provide additional experience in the specialised fields of instrument or night flying, nor the practice of larger aircraft which must be considered desirable, if not essential, prerequisites of entering airline employment,” said Mr Mathison.

The Chief of the Air Staff (Air Vice-Marshal M. F. Calder) told the meeting that because the Air Force was contracting somewhat, fewer primary Air Force flying officers were available as instruc-

tors. The Air Force was willing to provide instruction if a scheme could be mapped out. New-qualified flyers were being snapped up by the airlines, said Mr R. Shand. The salary for a second pilot was attractive and the flyers could not be blamed for accepting. It cost nearly £lOOO to become an instructor. A subsidy scheme could be adopted by clubs and those who qualified could be bound over for a set period of employment. Mr I. H. Gunderson said an ideal method would be to incorporate the subsidy scheme with Air Vice-Marshal Calder’s suggestion. * An operational training unit, supported by clubs and run by the Air Force, was a possibility. The ideas were referred to the executive committee for consideration.