MOST SUCCESSFUL

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 48, 27 February 1933, Page 8

MOST SUCCESSFUL

AIR SCHOLARSHIP

TWO PILOTS TO BE TRAINED

A SECOND COMPETITION

So successful has been the "Evening Post" Aviation Scholarship scheme to encourage a wider interest in flying that the Wellington Aero Club, which is directing the competition, is somewhat embarrassed >by that very success, but a happy way out of the position has been decided upon. * When the scheme was launched it was announced that entries would close definitely on Saturday, February 25, that date being fixed in order that the second stage of the competition couia be carried through, to fit in with the convenience of Sir Charles Singsford Smith, who has agreed to give the scholarship winner his first instruction flight in the serious training for qualification as an A pilot. So steadily were entries received at the office of the Aero Club and at the Eongotai Aerodrome during the last few days that it is evident that the interest is as lively as ever, and us Sir Charles will now be in Wellington fully three weeks later, than was originally planned, the. Aero Club proposed that the closing date should be extended. As many as possible of the competitors were communicated with ou. Friday to ascertain whether this plan would be acceptable to them, and though" the majority had no objection quite a number expressed the view that the announcement that entries would close on Saturday should be given effect to. A SECOND COMPETITION. As the statement was definite, the officials of the club considered that in view of these-objections they had no option but to close the competition, and select the six competitors, who are to be given further test flights from entrants up to Saturday. In order that those who still -wish to compete may have an even chance, the officials have decided to carry on with, a second competition, which will be conducted on the same lines as the first: that is, six ■ competitors will be selected from the entrants to fly in further test flights for the selection ot the winner of this second eonroetitaon._ This means that two pilots will be given the full training required to turn out an A pilot, instead of one as was proposed at first. The second competition will close on March 31. THE KINGSFORD SMITH CUP. Another slight complication followed upon the decision to extend the competition: the award of the handsome Silver cup given by Sir Charles Kings-, ford Smith as a further encouragement to competitors, but the idea of extending the competition has his hearty support and he has replied to a telegram sent by the secretary of the Aero Club, Mr. A. "W. Nisbet, that he considers the solution suggested an excellent one. It is that the trophy should be awarded to the competitor who puts up the best performance during the final tests before.' the award- of the A pilots' licences to the two scholarship winners. The director of Air Services (Squad-ron-Leader T. M. Wilkes), who is also fully in support of the scholarship scheme as a means of encouraging young people to take up flying, has agreed .to act as adjudicator in the award of the Kingsford Smith Cup when the final official pilots' examination tests are made. At 5 p.m. on Saturday the entrants numbered 105, and several more -were received by post this morning. Quite a number of the competitors are ladies. Unfortunately the past month, has ' been unusually difficult from, a flying point of view, and this has probably kept ;the number of applications lower than it "would have been if the weather had' been less boisterous. ■ The club officials' state that the response by intending applicants on a fine calm day is most marked, whereas on a day of heavy wind the response may be almost nil. REQUEST TO COMPETITORS. The fact that there have been comparatively few really good flying days has made it difficult for the instructor, Squadron-Leader G. L. Stedman, to fit in the many applicants in the time availably particularly as many do not advise the club of the time at which they desire to be given their first test flights. It is particularly necessary that this should be done in the case of those who can visit the aerodrome only during the weekend, for if they do not make arrangements they have to wait up to an hour or more. Application may be made either at the club offices in. the Dominion Farmers1 Building or at the aerodrome, where full particulars may be had. The entrance fee ia 20s, and this entitles entrants to ground instruction, a dual test flight of about twenty minutes during the latter part of which the machine is given over to the entrant (under the instructor's direction, of course), and to club membership and privileges during the present club year. The six competitors in each competition showing most talent will be given. further tests, and the finalist will then be made a full club member and begiven the complete training of an A pilot. ■ *