AIR FORCE PERSONNEL

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 October 1939, Page 5

AIR FORCE PERSONNEL

TRAINING IN NEW ZEALAND. [PER press association.] WELLINGTON, October 20. Discussing the effort New Zealand is making in training flying personnel for the R.A.F., Mr Jones (Minister of Defence) said that very satisfactory progress had been made, an the progres of expansion to provide the necessary training aerodromes and' the maintenance of personnel was well in hand. Already a recruit-training ground had been formed at Ohakea and the No. 1 elementary flying training school formed at the Taieri Aerodrome. Dunedin, will commence training next Monday. Pupils for early entry for training had been drawn from those candidates selected prior to the -war for shortservice commissions in the Royal Air Force, and from members of the Civil Reserve pilots. A central organisation had been formed to deal -with further applications, and a Selection Board was being appointed to visit the main centres soon, and commence interviewing some of the 1800 candidates. This task should he completed before the end of the year. Every effort was being made to increase the present rate of entry, 06, to 100 per month by February. Mr Jones said that the top age limit for pilots was still 27 years. Air observers may now be accepted up to the age of 32 years. GROUND STAFF. NEW PLYMOUTH, October 19. Taranaki mechanics who have enlisted in the ground staff of the New Zealand Air Force have received notice to report for duty next week. Some are to report at Hobsonville and others at Wigram. The employees of the ground staff organisation at New Plymouth airport have been advised that, if they enlist, they will be accepted for service.