BENEATH THE WINDSOCK

Evening Star, Issue 22275, 28 February 1936, Page 2

BENEATH THE WINDSOCK

- <" 1 [By Gvrsv Morn.]

AN AIRCRAFT INSPECTOR. Consequent upon the expansion now taking place in New Zealand aviation, an aircraft inspector has been added to to tho civil aviation branch of the Defence Department. Tho first holder of the office is Mr R. C. Kean, A.M.1., Mech.E., who has been, until now, a member of tho designing staff of the Public Works Department. Mr Kean had a notable war record ns a member of the Royal Air Force. Ho joined tho Second Lancashire Regiment in 1915, and, as a lieutenant, transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, where he learned to fly, in 1916. Later be was an instructor at Brooklands, and then chief engine experiments officer at the Aeroplane Experimental Station, Martlesham ■ Heath, and became widely known as a pilot and engine expert. At tho Armistice Mr Kean held the rank of captain, had done 600 hours’ flying, and had flown 24 types of aircraft, from heavy bombers to single-seater fighters. Included in his log book were five German types, as well as British, French, and Italian machines.

Since the war he has been with the Public Works Department, but recently has been flying modern machines. He is an associate member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. Included in his duties will be the periodical inspection of all civil aircraft for the granting and renewal of certificates of airworthiness, and the examination of candidates for ground engineers’ licenses in any category. His headquarters will be at Wellington.

Until now the duties of an aircraft inspection department have been carried out by Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel, but with the growth of civil aviation this has seriously interfered with normal air force duties. Tho establishment of commercial airlines, and the increasing size of aero club fleets, has made it necessary that a permanent inspector should be appointed. This step brings New Zealand into line with the other Dominions, all of which have staffs of aircraft inspectors.

AN APT PUPIL. To the Manawatu Aero Club falls the distinction of having trained a pupil to fly solo in a single day. As far as x is known this has not been achieved in the Dominion before, and is probably a unique performance for Australia and New Zealand. The task of giving instruction was in the hands of Flying Officer G. M. Firth, instructor to the Manawatu Aero Club, formerly of Auckland, and tho pupil was Putt Mossman, the speedway champion. A start was made at daybreak recently in the dub’s Moth machine, four hours being devoted to successive flights of from 20 minutes to half an hour. During the course of these Mossman learned the rudiments of flying, Thel\ a spell was called for about three and Mossman again went dual, making six perfect landings in succession. r'He then went solo, and made a good t lauding, but was unfortunate in touching a fence with a wihgtip while taxi-ing in, causing minor damage. QUARTERS FOR AIR FORCE. Because in the past permanent members of the New Zealand Air Force have been compelled to live away from the Wigram aerodrome, the centre of their activities, the Defence Department lias accepted tenders for the provision of living quarters for about 50 single men (says the Christchurch ‘ Press ’). Tenders for the work, which is estimated to cost about £20,000, have been accepted, and within six months two fine buildings will be completed on a section almost immediately opposite the main entrance to the aerodrome at Sockburn. These two buildings will be the sleeping and living quarters, which will lie linked by a covered way, and, in addition, a large new workshop is to be constructed at the aerodrome. Tho plans provide for buildings wliich will be a credit to the department. The living quarters include recreation, reading, writing, and billiards rooms, in addition to the large dining room and the necessary kitchen and boiler room. Two billiards tables will be provided, while the recreation room is 48ft long by 25ft wide. The reading and writing rooms together arc about the same size. The kitchen will be electrified. The sleeping quarters, which, like the living quarters, will be constructed almost entirely of wood, will be of two stories. Two of the bedrooms are double, but the remainder are single, 10ft by 7ft. Those measurements are of clear floor space, for capacious wardrobes and largo dressing tables will be built in. Botli these buildings will be of the bipped-roof design, the only gable, and that a very small one, being over the main entrance to the living quarters. The workshop, the estimated cost of which is £IO,OOO, will be of design similar to the existing hangars. As .yet no provision has been made for married members of the force, but it is understood that plans are being prepared for suitable quarters for them.