GLIDING BY SCOUTS

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31676, 11 May 1968, Page 23

GLIDING BY SCOUTS

30 Boys Gain Badges

Fifteen scouts from the Seiwyn scout district gained their gliding badge during a fiveday camp which ended on Thursday. Another 15 qualified for their air apprentice badge. The Selwyn district commissioner (Mr T. M. F. Taylor) said that the camp was one of the first held In New Zealand since the introduction of the "new look” in scouting. A similar type of camp and course for jet boating were planned for later in the year. The gliding instruction was given on the property of Mr A. Richards at Windwhistle, and the camp was held on Mr M. Newton’s property at Glenroy. The Canterbury Gliding Club provided a glider and tow plane for the course. Mr M. Watkins, of the club, was the instructor.

The scouts who gained their flying badge each bad one hour’s gliding in two flights, and took part ,in the ground party launching procedure. They received instruction in the theory of flight and general flight and landing precautions. Mr Taylor said Mr Watkins was particularly impressed with the progress made by the scouts. He hoped that some would join a gliding club.