AIR FORCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23955, 2 November 1939, Page 8

AIR FORCE

TRAINING OF PILOTS SCHEME IN OPERATION GOOD TYPE OF RECRUIT / , SCHOOL FOR MECHANICS AT HILLSIDE (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Nov. 1. Air Force training in the Dominion is now so thoroughly in operation that the Minister of Defence (Mr Jones) to-day was able to give a number of details regarding the methods of instruction In use at the training centres distributed throughout the country. The whole scheme of instruction, he said, was being well co-ordinated towards the end of effectively training air staffs and ground personnel. “ Including the instructional staff, there are over 1700 men engaged in Aif Force training,” the Minister said, “and this number is being increased every day because we i have no difficulty in securing a good type of recruit. “The Weraroa training centre,” Mr Jones said, “is being used for the ground training of observers and air gunners, who afterwards go to the spacious new aerodrome at Ohakea. near Bulls, to finish their training. The wireless personnel is being trained in Christchurch, and armament training is being given at Wigram, Christchurch. The administrative personnel, which is being trained in Christchurch, comprises equipment assistants and other officers, who will go" to other centres after they are efficient. “ On the flying side,” Mr Jones said, “ ground training starts at Weraroa. Elementary flying training is also being done at the Taieri, where 38 recruits are receiving this instruction. The training at Wigram for flying personnel is more advanced, and 30 men there are in the intermediate stage. Twenty-one are undergoing advanced flying training, and at the end of November will be available for duty wherever they are needed. Schools for training mechanics are in operation at the railway workshops at Otahuhu, Hutt, and Addington, and a fourth school will commence at Hillside on Friday. Upon completion of their mechanical training the men are drafted to various centres for the ground work needed in maintaining the machines in an efficient flying condition. New Plymouth is being utilised as a second elementary training school for flying personnel, and the Woodbpurne aerodrome near Blenheim is covering the same course as that provided at Wigram.” The Minister added that the instructors available were quite adequate for this extended scheme of training, and everything was working smoothly. The necessary buildings were being pushed on rapidly.