GRADUATION AT WIGRAM

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33189, 31 March 1973, Page 2

GRADUATION AT WIGRAM

Seventeen pilots received their “wings" at a graduation parade at Wigram yesterday, including three from the New Zealand Army who have been trained for Hying helicopters and five Malaysian pilots. Two navigators and two aero electronic operators also graduated yesterday. Air Commodore M. C. Gunton. commanding officer of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Support group, reviewed the parade. The top pilot of the group was Pilot Officer B. R. Clark, who was awarded both the De Lange Trophy, for the highest marks in pure flving. and the Armament Trophy, for greatest accuracy with weaponry. The other R.N.Z.A.F. pilots to graduate were Pilot Officers I. G. Clements, A. W. Deal, D. A. Heather, P. C. Jones (a

Canadian), C. A. H. Millen, A. J. Newlands, D. J. Riddler, and C. M. Rippey. The Army pilots were Lieutenants L. R. Upjohn, J. Marett, and K. F. Byrne. The Malaysian Air Force pilots were Flying Officer Phua Chee and Pilot Officers Kadir B. Ahamad, Md Aii Hussain, Alang Zari Ishak. and Ismail Mohamed.

The navigators who graduated were G. D. Taylor, who won the Astrolabe Trophy for highest aggregate marks for navigational studies, and J. B. McMillan. Sergeants G. M. Donald and J. A. Fitch graduated as aero electronics operators. Sergeant Fitch winning the Sir Robert Clark-Hall Trophy for top marks. The picture shows Air Commodore Gunton taking the salute from Pilot Officer Newlands.