PILOTS OF THE AIR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22191, 19 August 1935, Page 11

PILOTS OF THE AIR

VERY FEW VACANCIES MANY SEEKING. POSITIONS A statement regarding the prospects of positions as aviation pilots for residents of the Dominion lias been made by the Director of Air Services, WingCommander T. M. Wilkes. He said that with the decision to increase the personnel of the Royal Air Force in Britain and to a lesser extent the force in New Zealand vacancies exist that can be filled by New Zealand boys and young men, but competition is very keen. New Zealnnders may enter the Royal Air Force either 011 short commissions or as aircraft apprentices. Opportunity for entry into the Royal New Zealand Air Force is very limited and there exists a long waiting list. "In the matter of short-service commissions in the Royal Air Force, the position has been eased by the recent expansion of the force creating more vacancies," says Mr. Wilkes. "The same would apply to vacancies for aircraft apprentices. The final selection rests with the Air Ministry, London, and any interviews or examinations held in New Zealand are held merely to ensure that no unsuitable candidates are sent forward. "Vaeanciesi in the Royal New Zealand Air Force are very few, and in the case of both officers and airmen there is a long waiting list. A few officers may be appointed, hut these are selected for the most part from officers -n-ho have held a short-service commission in the Royal Air Force, or from members of the New Zealand Air Force (Territorial). Air mechanics are selected from men with the necessary trade qualifications; there is a long waiting list, and no immediate indications of any increase in the Royal New Zealand Air Force." Wing-Commander Wilkes, in answer to an inquiry regarding women pilots, stated that 32 women had secured licences as pilots through aoro clubs, 16 of these licences being still in force, out of a. total of 324 now current in New Zealand. Squadron-Leader G. L. Stcdman, instructor to the Wellington Aero Club, said that he considered it impossible to say, on what experience in this country had revealed, whether women were specially well equipped in physical and nervous resources for high flying. There was no really high flying in New Zealand. It was interesting, however, that it was necessary far a female pilot to undergo medical examinations moro frequently than male pilots. NEW TRAINING MACHINES FOUR ARRIVING THIS YEAR [BY TELECKAPH —PIIES& ASSOCIATION"] WELLINGTON, Saturday The Territorial Air Force will enter upon a considerably moro advanced stage than in the past with the shipment of four Avro 626 machines, representing tho most modern developments in training machines. These are now on tho water and should he in commission in New Zealand within tho next three months. The machines will provide for dual control flying instructions, blind and night flying, offensive gunnery with Vickers gun or camera gun, defensive work with similar guns, bombing by observer in prone position, bombing by pilot, wireless telegraphy and telephony, photography; navigation and message picking up. The engine is 275 h.p., A. S. Cheetah, M.K.V. The mam measurements are: Span, 34ft.; length, 26ft. 6in.; height, 9ft. 7i 11.; maximum speed, 130 m.p.h.; cruising speed, 108 m.p.h.; landing speed, 50 m.p.h.; rate of climbing, 1000 ft. per minute; service ceiling, 16,800 ft.