TRAINING PILOTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23425, 15 August 1939, Page 11

TRAINING PILOTS

WORK OF THE CLUBS BENEFITS TO GOVERNMENT MEN SENT OVERSEAS 4 AUCKLAND OFFICIAL'S VIEWS ( A new industry was springing up in New Zealand, the exportation of pilots, was referred to bv Mr. W. L. Wiseman, president of the Auckland Aero Club, at last night's annual meeting. Frequent reference had been made, said Mr. Wiseman, to the generous benefits bestowed by the Government upon aero clubs throughout the Dominion. He thought the time was now ripe to reply that, although the Government was conferring benefits upon them, for which they were very grateful, the clubs were conferring considerable benefits upon the Government.

"The Government," said Mr. Wiseman, "receives £I7OO sterling for every pilot who goes overseas. While aero clubs are paid to give these pilots their initial training, the Government, nevertheless, is making a considerable profit by this means. The Government has made a hard bargain, but we will stick to it."

Referring to the contract the club had for the training of 25 instructors for the Government, he considered that this wns due chiefly to the high standard of training the club's instructors were able to give. The new clubhouse, built to replace the old one destroyed by fire, should be completed within the next few weeks, Mr. Wiseman continued. The loss of the old clubhouse brought home the necessity to have amenities for pupils. The club was 'still endeavouring to secure finance for living accommodation to be incorporated ■in the new structure.

Mr. S. R. Mason said the importance of aero chilis was demonstrated by the large sums of money the Government was spending upon them. There was a great need for pilots today, and it was only by having a good nucleus of associate members that, clubs could lower the cost of flying training for young men, ( The balance-sheet and annual report

were adopted. Mr. Wiseman w.as reelected president, while other officers elected were: —Club captain, Mr. W. .T. Sexton; committee, Dr. H. M. Buchanan. Messrs. F. B. Cadman, F. M. Buzio, J. F. Wright, S. F. Langstone, J. 11. Butcher; auditors, Messrs. Hutchison, Elliffe and Cameron.