AIR FORCE RECRUITS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24034, 4 August 1941, Page 6

AIR FORCE RECRUITS

PRE-ENTRY TRAINING WORK OF EDUCATION BRANCH fBT TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION] "WELLINGTON, Sunday Reviewing the work of the educational services branch of the Air Department in providing pre-entry training for Royal New Zealand Air Force recruits, the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, said to-day that since the services were commenced in January, 1940, the branch had handled a total number reaching well into five figures. Of these, over 6000 had actually completed their preliminary educational course and reached the necessary preliminary air crew standard.

As the various preliminary courses terminate the recruits, both in the classes and those on correspondence, are tested to determine the standard reached. Mr. Jones said 1072 pilots and observers and 419 gunners sat for an examination held in June. All passed except approximately 9 per cent of the pilots and observers and 12 per cent of the gunners. The corresponding numbers examined in July were 630 and 177.

There were now 76 educational classes and 92 signalling classes. In connection with preliminary signalling training, a booklet was recently completed giving the text of broadcast lessons, the effectiveness of which was remarkably increased thereby. Mr. Jones said that a beginning was now also being made with preliminary pre-entry training of men selected as radio mechanics. The Minister added that the work of the educational services branch had been further enlarged by the establishment of an air training corps. The branch would handle correspondence instruction of members of the corps outside the centres where units of the corps were being established.