AUCKLAND FLUNG SCHOOL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17273, 14 September 1916, Page 5

AUCKLAND FLUNG SCHOOL.

FOUR CERTIFICATES GRANTED. Taking advantage of the favourable weather conditions of 'Saturday, says the Auckland “ Star,” pupils of the Kohimarama Flying School, whose practice for some weeks past has been greatly handicapped by the prevalence of wind and rain, came out to attempt to qualify for their aviation certificates. The certificates are those of the Royal Aero Club, which are granted to the pupils of the school through the New Zealand Government. Colonel G. A. Ward, General Staff Officer, and Captain H. L. de F. Garland, A.Q.M.G., were the two representatives of the Defence Department who checked the tests. To obtain certificates tho candidates had to accomplish the following three separate tests: — A and B.—Two distance flights, consisting of at least five kilometres (three miles 185 yards) each in a closed cirdaitj without touching the ground or water. C.—One altitude flight, during which the height of at least 100 metres (328 feet) above the point of departure must be attained, the* descent to be made from the height with the motor cut off. Four pupils qualified for certificates as follows:—E. H. Garland, Wellington M. C. M’Gregor, Hunterville; J. M 'Warnock, Nelson; M. Matthews, Rangiriri. Six certificates have now been grantel to pupils of the school. The tests were all splendidly earned out, as is shown by the fact that although the minimum altitude provided by the test is 328 ft, the lowest height to be climbed on Saturday was 600 ft. The other candidates registered 800 ft, 900 ft and 1200 ft respectively. Tho volplane test provided thrilling spectacles, and in the case of the pupil who climbed to 1200 ft it was particularly brilliantly achieved. Prior to descending the aviator had to stop the motor. The droning whirr of the engine of the Curtis biplane, in which the tests were all made, suddenly gave place to a dramatic silence, and then, with a terrific swish as the machine cut the air, the descent was made in a series of swift, graceful steps, until the water was again reached.. The test for accurate alighting was also executed in a manner which reflected credit on the tuition of the school. One candidate stopped only fivo yards from the buoy, another was ten feet away, while all four landed within thirty feet, as against the maximum of 164'feet allowed by the test. Tho four candidates will shortly leave for Wellington, where they will undergo the strict medical test required .for the air service. If they are approved by the Medical Board they will he sent Home, at the expense of the Imperial Government, with a lieutenant’s commission in each case, and will undergo a further three months’ training in England. ■