NEW ZEALANDERS AS AIR PILOTS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 254, 23 July 1936, Page 11

NEW ZEALANDERS AS AIR PILOTS

Visitor Impressed SCENIC VIEWS FROM AIR ALSO ADMIRED , New Zealand has some of- the pica santest flying country, for the passenger, in the world, according to Mr Vernon A. Dorrell, factory representa tive of the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation and formerly one of the leading pilots of Pan-American Airways, who has flown in the United States, Canada. Mexico, France and England, and who yesterday returned to Wellington after travelling as an air passenger from Palmerston North to Dunedin and back to Palmerston North. “You have something beside speed to sell in air travel because of your scenery,” he said, expressing particular admiration of the snowscapes on the Kaikoura mountains on the inland route between Christchurch and Blenheim. “What makes it even more delightful is that you have so much evergreen growth here. Back home, when we have mountains covered with snow, we usually have barren land all about as well, with all the growth stopped by the weather. Here you have snow on your mountains all right, but you also have green growth of grass in the fields and leaves on the trees close handy. You have country that makes a scenic trip out of a business flight.” Mr. Dorrell said the aerodromes along the main route impressed him favourably, both for being roomy and for having level surfaces. It was surprising to see airline operations conducted so smoothly after only six months of experience. To a casual observer the services 'might have been operating six years, so business-like was the running. He said he formed a very high opinion of the pilots. “They bear very favourable comparison with any you would meet anywhere,” he said. “Nor only are they very pleasant fellows to meet, but they do know their job, and ara technically right on their toes.” Almost without exception the airline pilots of New Zealand are New Zealanders, though some obtained tbelr training in the Royal Air Force in England. One was a member of the Royal Australian Air Force before taking up civil flying in New Zealand. On the Palmerston North-Dunedin, Wellington-Blenheim-Nelson, and Na-pier-Gisborne services the senior pilots are qualified in blind flying, and pilots on the Cook Strait run and co-pilots on the Palmerston North-Dunedin line are expert radio operators. Mr. Dorrell left on the Maunganul for Sydney, where he is to give demonstration flights with the Lockheed Electra monoplane, which is intended for a passenger service between Brisbane and New Guinea. Mr. H. G. Townsend, a representative of the Menasco Manufacturing Co., was on the same ship. In Australia he will discuss with Australian interests the possibility of making the aero engines designed by his firm in Australia The Menasco Co. has recently concluded an alliance with Phillips and Powis, one of the leading English aeroplane manufacturing firms, by which a factory is being built at Reading for making engines for use in the Miles machines.