FLIERS TESTED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22416, 25 August 1947, Page 6

FLIERS TESTED

AERO CLUB PUPILS FIRST A LICENSES VISIT BY MR. H. LETT The first three pilots to be trained by the Gisborne Aero L'lUb to A license standard were tested by the civil aviation inspector, Mr. H. Lett, at Darton Field today. Ihe three successful candidiates were Messrs. G. Spencer, S. Snusnait ana n. McDowell.

None of the pilots had flown an aircrau beajre iiie commencement 01 operations by the Gisborne Aero Club in February of this year, but since that time under the instruction of Mr. L. R. Renolds they have progressed to a stage where they are proficient to fly themselves. A number ot other trainees have also reached this stage and will be examined in tl’,c near future.

These pilots were ail proficient to fly so-o alter about six hours’ dual instruction. Since that time they have done at least five hours’ solo flying, mainly take-offs and landings. A solo cross-country flight from Gisborne to Hastings and return has also been undertaken by the pupils Today the pupils were sent off on their own to do landings and take-offs and turns over the field, under the watchful eye of the inspector. If they pass his tests .the two men will be mauled their A license, which entitles them to fly themselves without any check dual instruction before.a flight.

Mr. Lett, flying a Puss Moth aircraft, arrived at Gisborne late yesterday afternoon from Opotiki. Owing to bad weather lie was forced to follow the coastline instead of taking the direct route.

Mr. Lett is well known in Gisborne. He pioneered the Gisborne-llawke's Bay air service. A pilot, in the First World War he has flown some thousands of hours and in his present^capacity of inspector o£ airfields and" pupils, travels throughout New Zealand pilotins a Puss Moth aircraft. In this particular aircraft he has flown over 1000 hours.

Mr. Lett will leave this afternoon for Hastings.