RUSH TO JOIN AIR FORCE IN ENGLAND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 6 October 1936, Page 7

RUSH TO JOIN AIR FORCE IN ENGLAND

TESTS MADE MORE SEVERE

2,370 PILOTS IN 15 MONTHS

(By Air Mail—From A Special Correspondent,

LONDON, 12th September. A steady stream of applications is still being received at the British Air Ministry in response to the R.A.F.’s appeal for pilots and other personnel under the expansion programme announced in May, 1935. It was then stated that 2,500 additional pilots and 20,000 additional personnel would be recruited before 31st March. 1937.

Of the 2,500 pilots wanted, 2.370 have been obtained and this number has been kept down only by severe tests. More than 16,000 of the 20,000 positions for additional personnel have been filled. The men principally selected are those who can be readily trained as flight-riggers, flight-mecha-nics, wireless operators and photographers.

Applications for entry to the Reserve Group formed in August have come in at a most satisfactory rate. Men in this group will train as pilots for the regular Ah- '-’orce for one year, and will then pass into the ordinary reserve of pilots.

It was announced recently that there were vacancies for aircraftsmen at the rate of 500 a month. Training as armourers and wireless operators will be given to 150 out of each 500, and the remaining 350 will be trained for general duties as aircraft hands.' About 1,000 boys are also needed in view of the general expansion. They will be trained as armourers, photographers and wireless operators.