MANY INQUIRIES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 25 January 1939, Page 6

MANY INQUIRIES

CIVIL RESERVE OF PILOTS \ 100 VACANCIES TO BE FILLED | I [United Press Association! WELLINGTON. This Day. j Though men only are required for * the Civil Reserve of Pilots, some women | have inquired if they could join. ApI plications were called on 12th January for the 1939-40 quota of trainees, and fu> great is the interest being taken in ! aviation that 380 inquiries were made | within the first week for the 100 vacan- ; cies available. The Air Department called applica- ! tions for the Civil Reserve from young I men of good education and physique i who were willing to devote their spare time to learning to fly. In addition to the 380 inquiries in the first week, there i were 30 held over for the previous year. ! bringing the total to 410. The closing date for applications is 10th February, and many more are expected. Candidates are also required for short service commissions in the Royal Air Force. An announcement to this effect ' was made on 14th January, and hero ' again there is no shortage of applicants. In the first week 180 inquiries were made, in adidtion to which 100 had I been received before the announcement. It is probable that many more will be received before the closing date, j 15th February. I The number of short service commissions available to New Zealanders will not be known till the Air Ministry makes its allocations. Last year 150 direct-entry candidates were received from the Dominion by the R AF. In addition to these. 50 candidates were trained at the Flying Training School. ; Wigram, also for the RA F. The first batch will leave for England shortly. WORK OF AERO CLUBS No women have actually applied for • acceptance as trainees in the Civil Reserve of Pilots, but a number have t i made inquiries from the Air Depart- ■ 1 ment. They have been told, however. I that men only are wanted. Candidates accepted receive 60 hours’ free flying in- ■ struct!on over a period of three years. ~ 40 hours of which is taken in the first i | year. Twelve aero clubs in New Zeai! land now undertake this work, and , 1 about eight trainees are drafted to each i j club. ■ 1 It is expected that by 31st March. I 1939, 200 candidates will have been ■! trained for the Civil Reserve, which i was formed with the objects of providI ing increased opportunities for leara- ‘ | ing to fly and of building up a reserve of polits who will be available to sup- ■ j plement the Air Force in times of naI I tional emergency. The training year ! ! extends from Ist April to 31st March. 1 1 Pilots are not trained beyond the 1 ; light aircraft standard, but are given i sufficient experience to enable them to ( | begin training on more powerful ma- , chines should the necessity arise. The | reserve also provides a source from , which pilots may be selected either for , a commission in the Air Force or the Air Force Reserve. The only obligation, I apart from the initial training and two j refresher courses, is to undertake air | force service in times of emergancy.