PILOT AGED NINE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 106, 31 October 1942, Page 8

PILOT AGED NINE

SYDNEY BOY'S SKILL

Australia has probably the youngest flyer in the world. He is Eric Morris, aged nine, of Maroubra, Sydney. Eric has 400 hours to his credit and because he is so keen on flying Civil Aviation authorities in Melbourne have presented, him with an "honorary pilot's licence," wrote "The Post's" Sydney correspondent recently.

To get the licence Eric passed the routine requirements. Although he cannot fly solo, he is able to control a plane in the air by means of special equipment. His brother, Howard Morris, aged, seven, has flown for 90 hours.

The children's father, Captain H. K. Morris, now..chief flying instructor at an Australian flying base, began Eric's air education when the boy was five years old. Captain Morris built a practice (non-flying) model plane, in which the boys learned the rudiments of flying. He then decided to build his sons a plane that flew, and for two and a half years worked on the "Jitterbug," a quarter-size plane with a 27 horsepower Douglas "Dryad" engine. Captain Morris took the "Jitterbug" for its first flight. Then he took Eric in the air and taught him to fly the plane.

"I have always planned a flying future for my children," Captain Morris said. "Both children are as keen on flying as I am." Eric and Howard have taught boys of their own age to "taxi" planes, their father claims.