AUXILIARY AIR FORCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22345, 17 February 1936, Page 6

AUXILIARY AIR FORCE

EXPANSION IN ENGLAND THREE NEW BOMBER UNITS [from our OWN" correspoxdext] LOXDOX, Jan. 18 Three new squadrons of the Auxiliarj Air Force will be formed next month in the West Riding, Cheshire, and West Lancashire respectively. The aerodromes from which the training of these units will be done are Yeadon, near Leeds, Hooton Park, near Birkenhead, and Speke airport, near Liverpool. The number of Auxiliary or Territorial squadrons will thus be increased to 11, in addition to which there are five cadre squadrons in which half the officers and airmen are non-Regular.. The three new 'squadrons will be formed as bomber units. The normal method of recruitment will be followed. Applicants for commissions must be between the ages of IS and 30, and must have an amateur pilot's licence or an equivalent certificate from a competent officer. Successful applicants who obtain the A licence after being enrolled as likely candidates may receive a bounty up to a maximum of £lls to cover the cost of their tuition. By this method, and by "the training of applicants in tutor aircratt by the adjutant and his assistant, pupils reach the stage at which they may be recommended for commissions and may begin advanced training to fit them to fly Service types of aircraft.

Airmen, engaged for an initial period of four years, must be between the ages of 18 an<s 3S, and are required to attend a certain number of parades annually and to go to camp annually with thesquadron. In all these units there are opportunities for the airmen to make flights in the course of their trainiug. In addition to serviug as tradesmen in the fitter and rigger classes, recruits are trained as air gunners, bomb aimers, air photographers, and wireless operators.

The formation of the new* squadrons shows a widening of interest among Territorial associations in the air arm. It is to be presumed that although the officers' training corps at public schools are intended primarily to serve the Territorial Army, the new arrangement will lead to the recommendation of suitable cadets by the county 'associations for commissions in the Auxiliary Air Force.