FLYING DOCTOR

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19135, 2 October 1936, Page 7

FLYING DOCTOR

DIFFICULTIES IN DARWIN

NO PILOT'S LICENSE

DARWIN, Sept. 13.

Aii interesting position lias arisen in connection with the activities of tne "Flying Doctor" of the Northern remtory. Dr. 0. C. Fcnton. Both Ins pilots license and the certificate of airworthiness of his Moth plane wore not renewed prior to his flight to China some months ago, and since'his return to the Northern Territory at the end of dune he has been flying Without either n pilots license or a" certificate of airworthiness. Dr Kent on, who is stationed at lvafliorine', about 200 miles from Darwm, flew to Darwin a few days ago. Me wanted lo have some repairs done to the undercarriage of his machine by Qantas Empire Airways' engineers at Darwin, but these men were instructed by the Civil Aviation Department thai..if they carried out the repairs lo the machine, they were liable to have their licenses suspended. Consequently the repairs were not earned \ discussion took place between the Administrator of the Northern Territory, Lieut.-Colonel T>. H. Weddell, Dr. C. E. Cook, chief medical oflicer, the local oihcer of the Civil Aviation Department, and Dr. Fcnton. The Administrator instructed Dr. Cook to advise Dr. * onion to place his machine in the Qantas hangar for an inspection in order to obtain a certificate of airworthiness. However, Dr. Fcnton (lew his plane to Katherine early yesterday morning. II is understood that his license is likely to be reissued shortly. Dr. Teuton's aeroplane subsidy has been suspended hv the Northern; Territory Administration until he obtains his certificate of airworthiness. Tt is understood that he will not be engaged officially to flv patients by plane until he obtain:- tho certificate.