FLYING SCHOLARSHIPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22250, 26 October 1935, Page 12

FLYING SCHOLARSHIPS

THE HERALD CONTESTS GOOD TYPE OF APPLICANT CHIEF INSTRUCTOR'S COMMENT Entries for the two aviation scholarships offered by the proprietors of the New Zealand Heiiau> are being received steadily by the Auckland Aero Club, which is organising the contests. The scholarships provide for the free tuition of two pilots to A licence standard, one to be selected at Mangere aerodrome, Auckland, and the other at the Waikato airport, Rukuhia. The candidates so far examined at Mangere have been of a particular!} good type, according to the club's chief instructor, Flight-Lieutenant D. M. Allan. He said yesterday that he had tested nine applicants, including one young woman, and all had been of .1 type which any aero club would welcome as members. In addition to the candidates examined at Mangel e, Flight-Lieutenant W. H. Lett lias tested a number of others at Rukuhia. An Offer Declined Several of the Mangere entrants had never flown prior to the test flights, Mr. Allan said. .One man enjoyed the experience so well that he asked lea\e to pay a second entry fee and have another llight, but it was explained that this was impossible under the rules. Another candidate who had evidently acquired some knowledge of the elements of aviation from books, offered to demonstrate his ability by "looping the machine, in addition to carrying out the manoeuvres specified by the instructor. The otter was declined. It is anticipated that the testing of applicants will extend over about thiee or four months. Candidates, who must be over 16 and under 30 years of age, are urged to enter as early as possible and be tested with one of the various groups that are now being arranged. Inquiries From Country Many inquiries are being received from country districts and a number of intending applicants have stated that thev cannot conveniently attend either at Mangere or at Rukuhia. Efforts are therefore being made to arrange for country competitors to be suitably grouped for training at centres to be visited by one of the instructors. Candidates in ■ this category "are requested to state on their entry-forms the nearest centre where there is a landingfield.

Six finalists will be selected in each of the two contests and will be given fresh tests. After the winners have been chosen, the remaining 10 finalists will become associate members of the club until April 30 next year.