DOMINION AIR FORCE

Southland Times, Issue 19173, 18 February 1924, Page 6

DOMINION AIR FORCE

NEED FOR TRAINING. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, February 18. Major-General Chaytor and Sir Heaton Rhodes (Minister of Defence) inspected the Wigram aerodrome at Sockburn this morning. Twelve officers undergoing a refresher course were addressed by General Chaytor, who said he wanted them to do as much training as they possibly could. There were great possibilities in aviation in New Zealand. The air force at Home was now helping New Zealand more than it had done formerly in the matter of aviation, and was offering short service commissions to New Zealand officers, the course to consist of one year’s training, four years’ active service, and four years in the reserve. The British authorities were also offering to exchange officers with New Zealand, probably for two-year periods. THE FIRST “CRASH.” CHRISTCHURCH, February 17. The first “crash” in connection with the refresher course at Sockburn aerodrome was experienced to-day but it was happily without serious result to tho passengek- or pilot, although the machine is a total wreck. Lieut. Denton, of the permanent staff, with Mr L. Taylor as a passenger, were out for a joy ride on an Avro when the engine cut out. The pilot attempted to glide back to the aerodrome but failed to do so. Denton then essayed a forced landing in a small field. He landed safely but the Avro had too much impetus and ran across the paddock to the fence over which it turned and falling into a gully broke the fuselage and became a complete wreck. Denton received some slight cuts on the face but the passenger was uninjured; in fact he signified his intention of returning for the remainder of his “flip” for it is a stipulation of passenger flights that passengers are to receive the full time for which they have paid.