AVIATION NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 182, 2 July 1938, Page 15

AVIATION NOTES

MIDDLE DISTRICTS CLUB. (By “W.E.C.”) Last Sunday the Smillie Cup competitions were held, and the cup was won by Mr D. G. West with . 478 points. Mr B. Short was second with 473 points and Mr J. Smillie third (430 points). The winner is the youngest club member flying, and so his performance is very much to his credit.

Pupils under training: Messrs R. Lightfoot, B. L. McDonald, S. Robinson, P. K. Sigley, 11. W. Kilsby and A. Simeon. Air Kilsby has now gone solo. Alessrs Sigley, Simeon, and Cheyne are ready for their A license examination, which will take place this week, the examining officer being, Squadron-Leader Burrell. Air R. Porter has obtained his A license endorsement.

LEARNING TO FLY. The contention that there is little use in learning to ily, on the ground that only a limited number can make use of such knowledge, should be discounted. It is true that there are not many who can afford the training for major air-line work as the cost and time needed are as much as is required for any leading profession, such as that of doctor of lawyer, but even that could be got over by a determined individual. But apart from that class of work, pilots are, and will be, required for quite a number of jobs besides. Looking ahead, there is no doubt That there will be a good demand for what may be called the private owner’s pilot. The more wealthy will, in .time, take to the air instead of yachting,' and the business man; will use air travel instead of the more expensive and slower methods, and in nearly all cases the owners would not wish to pilot themselves (except to take over the controls on a fine day perhaps). They would require someone of experience. Also, air taxi work is bound to develop a great deal, and we shall have firms here specialising in this class of service, just as they are doing in other countries. . . Alueli more use will be made of the air in the future for surveying, coastguarding, police work, freight-carrying, etc.

Even it one does not aspire to be a professional pilot, and would enter aviation in some other department, such as wireless operator, ground engineer, or administration, a . knowledge of pilotage is a big advantage. Then there is the sporting side ol flying for those who would use it as an amusement. From a financial point of view it hardly costs any more than joining a good golf club (including clubs, balls and drinks). The cost of learning to fly up to A license standard is about £25 to £3O according to one’s aptitude, and the learning can be done in easy stages as time and money is available. Spread over a period according to one’s resources it is not at all difficult.

Alost people take up a sport with the idea of developing and maintaining their physical fitness —and this car, be said of flying, there is no other form of sport that gives such training to the senses, and in their co-ordina-tion. In fact, that is the essence of flying, as the actual handling of ail aeroplane is not extremely difficult. The training lies in bringing eyes, hands and feet to a fine pitch of co-operation, learning to make quick decisions, and the development of. self-reliance and confidence. And w'hile one obtains pleasure from flying, there is always the possibility that one can knowledge and experience gained to some advantage.