AVIATION EXAMINATION

Northern Advocate, 9 April 1934, Page 5

AVIATION EXAMINATION

YOUTH WINS SCHOLARSHIP.

AWARD AFTER DEAD HEAT.

LAURENSON FOURTH.

(Special to "Northern Advocate.”)

AUCKLAND^ 1 This Day,

Keen competition resulted in an exceptionally close finish when eight finalists, selected from candidates for one of the two “N.Z. Herald” aviation scholar ships, offered by the Auckland Aero Club, were tested by the club’s chief instructor, Flight-Lieutenant - D. M. Allan, at Mangcre, on Saturday morning. Good flying conditions prevailed for the test. The winner was a pupil of the Auckland Grammar School, Noel Ellis Taylor, aged 17, of 27, Esplanade Road, Mt, Eden. He was one of the youngest candidates, v Tests of the eight finalists resulted hi a dead-heat between the ultimate winner and Mr J. B. Hardcastle, aged 20, of 28, Epsom Avenue, and a further test was necessary. Mr Taylor ultimately defeated Mr Hardcastle by four marks out of a possible 30. The winner, who is in the Sixth Form of the Auckland Grammar School, had a number of passenger flights before becoming a. candidate for the scholarships, having won several ‘‘joy rides” offered as prizes in model aeroplane competitions.

By his success in winning the scholarships, open to candidates tested InMr Allan at Maugcre and also in a number of outlying districts, Mr Taylor will receive free Instruction in flying up to “A” license standard, and a flying membership of the club up to'April 30,’ 1935. The winner will bo given dual instruction by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, who has also donated a trophy for the successful candidates. Mr Taylor will commence his training immediately.

: The six finalists tested on Saturday, in addition to . the winner and runnerup, were Miss J. M. Wilkie, of Epsom, Miss J. B. MacGregor, of Kaikohe, and Messrs I. G. Laurenson, of Whangarei, M. C. Kinder, of Tuakau, H. G, Pointou, cf Otahuhu, and H. S. Withers, of Parroll. Each applicant was given a flight of about 15 minutes, during which ho or she w’as required to show ability in flying straight and level, turning to right and left, and carrying out an acute loft turn.

The marks wore as follows, for straight flight, level flight, left turn, right turn, sharp turn, and total respectively, the maximum in each section being 25 and the possible 125.

Gregor . 17 .15 20 15 15 S2 A more difficult test than that to which the other finalists were subjected was decided upon by Mr Allan for Messrs Taylor and Hardcastle. After preliminary ground instruction each was given’ a further short flight, during which he was required to carry out three ffgure-of-eight turns, A maximum of 00 marks was allowed, Mr Taylor scoring 24 and Mr Hardcastle 20. The seven unsuccessful finalists will become associate members of the club up to April next year.

N, R Taylor ... 22 22 22 22 22 112 Mr ,T. B. Har drastic -0 24 22 22 22 113 Mr H. G. Pointou 30 20 20 24 25 100 Mr I. G, Lauronson 20 20 20 IS 20 93 Ji. 8. Withers .. 20 20 IS 15 25 95 Miss .T. M. Wilkie 20 15 20 IS 20 92 Mr M, C. Kinder Miss .T. B. Maeon 00 IS IS 10 90