GOOD PROGRESS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 4 November 1942, Page 2

GOOD PROGRESS

NELSON A.T.C. SQUADRON TRAINING FOR ENTRY INTO AIR FORCE The Nelson Squadron of the Air Training Corps, since its inception on 20th July this year, has made rapid progress. In just over three months a headquarters, comprising a lecture room, equipment store and offices, has been established in Grant’s Buildings, Hardy street, and the squadron has been equipped with Air Force uniforms bearing A.T.C. badges These uniforms are worn only on ordered parades.

The squadron recently had a brief visit of inspection from Wing-Com-mander G. A. Nicholls, commandant of the A.T.C. for New Zealand, who inspected the cadets and congratulated them on the very high standard of their general bearing and appearance. He addressed the boys on the aims, objects and advantages of the pre-entry training for the R.N.Z.A.F. which the A.T.C. course offered. A talk on the growth and development of the Air Force was included in his adress and proved of great interest to the cadets. COLLEGE UNIT A unit of the Air Training Corps has been formed at Nelson College and this unit was also inspected by Wing-Commander Nicholls, who was very impressed by the polished efficiency and confidence with which these cadets carried out their parade drill. He gave the unit high praise for its enthusiasm and excellent training.

Shortly after the squadron was formed in Nelson, a Warant Officer from headquarters was sent to Nelson to give the cadets one week’s training in Air Force drill. The squadron now parades every Monday night at headquarters, where in addition to drill, there is a lecture on some service subject such as aircraft recognition, air raid precautions, aero engines, or air frames and the theory of flight. This is followed by some strenuous physical training and gymnastics in th e Y.M.C.A. gymnasium.

On alternate Sundays short services are held for the Nelson squadron of the Air Training Corps in its own headquarters. These services are conducted by Force chaplian, Captain J. Hay. EDUCATIONAL COURSES A comprehensive educational syllabus covering all the subjects necessary for a cadet to qualify for entry mto the R.N.Z.A.F. has been compiled by the Director of Air Force Education, Wing-Commander E. Caradus. This syllabus is covered, in Nelson, byt the Technical College under the supervision of the Direcwho is in charge of the pre-entry courses for the Nelson squadron. There are four courses which may be taken, depending upon the class of Air Force work for which the cadet is being trained. They are divided roughly into four groups—air crew, including pilots, air gunners and observers; maintenance or ground staff, including fitters, instrument repairers, armourers, etc., radio operators, some of whom are included in the flying personnel of aircraft; and radio mecfrgnics who service th e wireless equipment. The subjects in the syllabus include mathematics, navigation, physics, basic fitting and wireless. When entering the A.T.C. a cadet nils m an application form and after appearing before a section committee undergoes an Air Force medical examination. He is then drafted into a course for air-crew or maintenance.

Every fortnight there is an n.c.o. course, lasting 14 days, being held on anri N ° r l h , f a A nd R - N - z - A -F- station, and selected A.T.C. cadets from each squadron have th e privilege of attending these courses in rotation, and living under real Air Force conditions and also receiving an advanced course of study. There are at present a considerable number of vacancies in the No. 23 (Nelson) squadron, and it is hoped to bring its strength up to 100. The officer in command .of the Nelson St3 ? a ?u on ls Fl y in e Officer F. Oakes and the second in command Pilot Of?woo A +'v, J ‘ Tarleton - An y youth between the ages of 16 and 18 years who wishes to join the R.N.Z.A.F. is eligible to join the Air Training Corps where he will receive a complete preliminary training which will enabie him, when he passes out of the corps, to enter the Air Force witiianl f vr th er pre-entry examination. Application forms for entry into the corps may be obtained any Monday evening from the squadron headquarters m Grant’s Buildings or from either of the officers, who would be glad to give the fullest information on the work of the corps and answer cadets qUeStlons from Prospective