PROFESSIONAL PILOTS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 160, 22 June 1935, Page 7

PROFESSIONAL PILOTS

Formation of a Guild N.Z. AERO CLUB’S SUPPORT By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, June 21. Progress towards the establishment of a professional pilots’ guild in New Zealand similar to the Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators of the British Empire in Great Britain, was reported to the New Zealand Aero Club to-day.

Mr G. M. Spence, president of the club, said that aero clubs had trained pilots to a standard where they could earn their own living, and as he considered that clubs should now do something to protect their status he had drawn up a scheme similar to that operating in Great Britain. He had circularised tho “B” pilots of the Dominion. Between 20 and 30 replies had been received, and with the exception of one “die-hard” all had teen enthusiastically in favour of the guild.

A committee comprising SquadronLeader G. L. Stedman and Messrs E. A. Gibson and G. M. Spence had been elected to proceed with the scheme. All the letters had contained an amount of valuable criticism.

It was proposed that the guild should be formed and incorporated. It would apply for affiliation with the British body.

Mr Spence said it was hoped to have the guild protected by an Act similar to the Accountants Act, and the Phar macy Act.

It was decided to approve the action taken by the president in formulating the proposal, and that of “B” pilots in setting up a committo to further the proposals. It was also decided that the committee should be assured of the support and the sympathy of the New Zealand Aero Club.

Official air pageants for next year were allocated by the club ns follow:— North Island, Western Federation, to be held at New Plymouth; South Island, Otago Aero Club. Wing-Commander T. M. Wilkes, Squadron-Leader G. L. Stedman and Air C. C. Weinstein were appointed to revise and clarify the conditions of various trophy competitibns.