BETTER PILOTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26328, 6 December 1946, Page 7

BETTER PILOTS

NEW TRAINING SCHEME PRACTICAL AND TECHNICAL (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 5. Britain is giving the world a lead in the development of aircraft design. In an endeavour to produce new types of high quality in the shortest time, she is also training a new type of airman. He is a test pilot with exceptional flying ability combined with thorough technical knowledge and training. The objective is to reduce wasted time in the development of new aircraft by the close co-operation of test pilots with designers. In the past, test pilots “just happened.” They were selected chiefly for their flying abilify, but with no special training and with technical knowledge acquired more or less casually. During the war the casualty rate of test pilots became alarmingly high, and three years ago it was decided to form an Empire Test Pilots’ School. Now at Cranfield, near Bedford. it is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Supply under Air Marshal Sir W. Alec Coryton and commanded by Group Captain H. J. Wilson, who a year ago established a world speed record of 606 miles an hour. It has trained 100 pilots to work at experimental stations and factories. The school has an international flavour, for in addition to men from the R.A.F. and the dominions there are also American, Chinese, Greek, French, and Norwegian pupils. So far three New Zea-landers-r-R. M. Trousdale, H. N. Sweetman, and J. B. Starky—have passed through the school, but since no testing is carried out in the Dominion only New Zealanders serving in the R.A.F. with permanent commissions may be expected to take the course in future. The course lasts seven months at Cranfield, followed by a period at the Royal Aircraft establishment at Farnborough. and another period visiting aircraft productions firms. There is an average of 1000 applications for each course, from which under 40 are selected. The chief qualities required, in addition to above the average flying ability, are patience, and a knowledge of engineering and advanced mathematics. The pilots fly a wide variety of aircraft, including Meteors, Vampires, Lincolns, Lancasters, Vikings, Mosquitoes, Seafires, Fireflies, Spitfires, Harvards, and Oxfords, with the objective of being able to go to any country and give a comprehensive report on any type of aircraft. This Empire school is the only one in the world. In addition to a working co-operation with industry, there is a firm liaison between the three services. The test polits’ course is described as one of the best offered by the R.A.F. It is expensive, but it is believed that it will pay rapid dividends by aiding Britain to retain her leading place in aircraft design.