YOUTH'S LEISURE HOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22350, 22 February 1936, Page 31 (Supplement)

YOUTH'S LEISURE HOUR

The following is the first of two articles, specially written for the boy readers of the New Zealand Herald, on the prospects of becoming a professional aviator in the Dominion. THE growing demand in New Zealand for commercial pilots and the shortage of highly-qualified men to fill the important positions offering, recently inspired the proprietors of the New Zealand Herald to offer two aviation scholarships, the contests for which are still if progress. The scholarships, which provide for the free tuition of two young men or women by the Auckland Aero Club until they have qualified tor their A licences, were made available ,as a practical encouragement to the many eager aspirants .who are unable themselves to pay the jcost of learning to fly. The remarkable interest taken in flyipg by the younger generation is indicated by the number of entries, 388, received for the two competitions, at the closing date last month. The Auckland 'Aero Club is conducting the contests, and the conditions were made as simple as possible, to give every desirable candidate an equal chanco of success. Qne oi: the scholarships is tenable at the Auckland Club's city headquarters, at Mangere aerodrome, and the other jat the Waikato-airport, Rukuhia. Residents between 16 and 30 years of Hge, both men and women, were eligible to compete, and it was provided that each candidate should be tested in tho air, to determine his or her ability to assimilate readily the instructor's directions, as well as to discover any natural aptitude for flying. Tho entry fee wa3 fixed mt £l, and was designed merely to cover the actual cost of the flying done during the test. The examination of candidates is still* in progress, and is likely to continue until early in March, when the names of 12 finalists, six for the Auckland scholarship and six for that to be held at Rukuhia, will be announced. Where

possible, arrangements were made for groups of entrants to attend at one of the two aerodromes, to have the functions of tho various controls and instruments explained by the instructor. Tho individual test flights followed, tho pupil occupying the rear or pilot's seat, and the instructor being in the front cockpit with a duplicate set of controls. Testing of Candidates No complicated manoeuvres or hairraising aerobatics were imposed upon candidates for the scholarships. Ability to fly "straight and level" and to carry out gentle turns correctly were the principal requisites, and the two instructors, Flight-Lieutenant D. M. Allan at Mangere, and Flight-Lieuten-ant W. H. Lett at Rukuhia, awarded marks for the manner in which tho various evolutions were performed. Further tests will be conducted when the finalists have been chosen, and the winners will probably be announced in March. They will then commence their training when convenient, aqd before many weeks hare passed, both should have qualified as duly-licensed pilots. Two similar scholarships were offered by the proprietors of the Herald about two years ago, and particularly keen contests resulted. When finalists were; being tested at Mangere, several showed such ability that further examinations of a slightly more complicated nature had to be carried out before the winner could be chosen. The successful candidate was a schoolboy, Noel Ellis Taylor, then aged 17, of Mount Eden, Auckland. He was at that time »i pupil of the Auckland Grammar School, but in spite of his youth he proved the best of about 200 candidates who entered, and also showed commendable ability later when actually learning to fly. fie had little difficulty iin his period of instruction with Mr. Allan, and eventually qualified for his A licence, becoming one of the youngest pilots in the Dominion. The Waikato contest two years ago was won by a mechanic, Mr. W. J. Horton, of Hamilton. He also proved an apt pupil when his instruction was commenced by Mr. Lett. , Competitors for the scholarships at present being offered include schoolboys, teachers, members of various profes-

sions, labourers, mechanics and representatives of a variety of other trades and callings. There are several Maoris included, and a few women are among the entrants. Chance to Enter Aviation Although there are so many different types of person among the present candidates, they all have something in common; each is an enthusiast who recognises the excellent opportunity given to enter aviation at minimum cost. While it is impossible to predict the winners of tho current contests, which are decided strictly on a merit basis, it can bo tcken for granted that the successful entrants will be flying enthusiasts of tho type likely to be of benefit to aviation in New Zealand. The high standard of the candidates generally has already been the subject of favourable comment by both instructors. Circumstances which are unavoidable, but which impose a definite hardship on many keen young people with a bent for flying, make it almost impossible to enter commercial or military aviation in New Zealand at least until an A licence has been obtained. Very many young men in particular, who would probably become prominent in flying if they could onco get a start, are debarred from entering the profession because they cannot afford tuition fees. It is lads of this type that tho Herald scholarship scheme is designed to assist, especially at tho present time when commercial aviation in Now_ Zealand is in the early stages of rapid development. i Once the initial hurdle of the A licence has been safely passed, the young pilot who takes his flying seriously and is prepared to study, has a variety of opportunities to gain further experience and fit himself for selection as a member of tho flying staff of some commercial concern. Entry to tho, New Zealand Territorial Air Force is possible, and pilot-officers fly different types of machines, as well as learning something of service conditions. There is also the prospect of joining the Royal Air Force, one of the favourite recruit-ing-grounds for air-service proprietors who wish to supplement their roll of pilots.