Doctor-Pilot Awarded Bursary In United States

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30045, 1 February 1963, Page 10

Doctor-Pilot Awarded Bursary In United States

(From Our Own Reporter)

WEUJNGTOfi, Jan. 31. A Royal New Zealand Air Force medical officer, who graduated as a pilot from the Flying Training School at Wigram in 1954 with special distinction, has been granted a bursary to study aviation medicine at the Ohio State University. He is Flight Lieutenant L. J. Thompson, deputy principal medical officer at R.N.Z.A.F. Headquarters. The course, which begins in May, includes two years’ study at the university followed by 12 months “on-the-job” training with an aviation firm in the United States.

Flight Lieutenant Thompson, holder of the Air Efficiency Medal, which is awarded to members of the Territorial Air Force or Air Force Reserve after they have served 10 years, has nearly 2000 flying hours to his credit. He is qualified to fly Harvard, Devon and Vampire aircraft and has carried out a short familiarisation course on Canberras. Of his total flying hours, 450 have been spent in gliders, and 1100 in service aircraft.

In 1961, he formed the Wigram Gliding Club and was its first president Until he received his present appointment, he was the club’s chief flying instructor. He holds the gold “C” with one diamond.

one of the highest gliding awards that can be obtained.

Flight Lieutenant Thompson was educated at the Otago Boys’ High School and the University of Otago medical school from where he graduated in 1957. After his graduation he spent two years with the Otago Hospital Board as a house surgeon. While a medical student he was taught to fly with the Otago Aero Club, and in 1951 was appointed to a commission in the Territorial Air Force. He went to Wigram on the first university pilots’ course, and received his “wings” in 1954. He then joined No. 4 Territorial Air Force Squadron at Taieri and returned to his studies at medical school. He remained with the squadron until it was disbanded in 1957.

In 1960 Flight Lieutenant Thompson, who had been a reserve pilot since 1957, was appointed to a commission in the medical branch of the R.N2AJ. and for two years held the dual appointment of officer commanding the aviation medicine unit and flying personnel medical officer at Wigram. Shortly after his appointment in 1960 he underwent a flying refresher course and qualified to fly multi-engine aircraft

On his return be will command the aviation medicine unit at Wigram.