POPULAR PILOT INSTRUCTOR

Southland Times, Issue 23921, 13 September 1939, Page 2

POPULAR PILOT INSTRUCTOR

Mr F. J. Adams Bidden Farewell RESIGNATION TO JOIN AIR FORCE Mr F. J. Adams has resigned from the position of pilot instructor to the Southland Aero Club to join the Royal New Zealand Air Force and last night he was the guest of honour at a farewell dinner in Invercargill. Many fine tributes were paid to the splendid work done by Mr Adams, to his ability as an instructor and to his popularity among club members. Mr Adams joined the Southland Aero Club as ground engineer in November 1935, said Mr A. E. W. McDonald, president of the club. The pioneer pilot instructor, Mr J. Smith, left to join Cook Strait Airways and the club was placed in the position of finding a new instructor. Mr Adams was their selection, but he was not quite ready to fill the situation. However, after some intensive training, during which he had charge of the Rongotai airport on some days, he returned as a fully-qualified pilot instructor an<J immediately put in three months of very strenuous flying to complete the civil reserve training for that year. Since then Mr Adams had filled the position of pilot instructor and ground engineer to the club and for so young a man he had shown great ability. “I would like to pay a tribute to Mr Adams as a pilot instructor,” continued Mr McDonald. “The pilot-to-be places his life and limbs in the hands of his instructor, who needs to possess coolness and courage. Mr Adams has these characteristics. RECORD WITHOUT PARALLEL “Mr Adams has maintained that fine record established by our first pilot instructor, Mr Smith. This record, we think, is without parallel in New Zealand. Our club records show that pilots of the Southland Aero Club have flown some 8565 hours, or 685,200 miles and have carried 5000 passengers. There has been no accident involving injury to passenger or pilot, or serious damage to any of our aeroplanes. This is a wonderful tribute to the skill and care of our pilot instructor and our ground staff. During the period the club has been in existence we have trained 115 pilots, and many of these pilots are today to be found in the Royal Air Force.” Civil reserve pilots were men who would supplement the Royal Air Force in a time of national need, the president said. This time had now come and they would probably soon be called upon. These pilots would probably go through some intensive training and it was most important that they should learn to fly well. When they went through machine-gun training they should pay close attention because the man who could shoot straight would win out in the end.

Mr E. Jones, club captain, said they were very sorry to lose Mr Adams, who had done so much for the club. When they knew why Mr Adams was leaving it made them realize that war was very close. He hoped that when the war was over Mr Adams would be able to see his way clear to return to the club. He would be given a very hearty welcome by the members. ABILITY RECOGNIZED Mr J. E. Cuthill, secretary of the club, said that Mr Adams had endeared himself to all the pilots. The only pleasure that they could take from the occasion of his departure was the fact that the Air Department had recognized his ability. Their relations had been most harmonious for it had been a great pleasure to work with Mr Adams. He could only hope that in the very near future Mr Adams would be back among them. The speaker wished him every success in the future.

Mr Adams was to be congratulated on his fine work, said Mr R. M. Strang. The executive members of the club wished him every success and hoped that at some future time he would return.

At the time Mr Adams took up his position in Invercargill he was of the opinion that he was perhaps just a little too young, but he had been agreeably surprised at the splendid and efficient manner in which he had carried out his duties, said Mr W. Grieve. He had set an example to the other members of the club. The club was deeply indebted to Mr Adams for his services.

Mr Adams had performed all his duties effectively and efficiently, said Mr F. M. Corkill. He felt confident that he would do exactly the same in the future as he had done in the past. Mr J. B. Thompson said the club had a record that was second to none in New Zealand, and the person principally responsible was Mr Adams. Most of the young men who would be going away would face a big repsonsibility, and he hoped they would come through successfully. Others who spoke were Dr J. G. Macdonald, Messrs W. Cameron, G. Speden. M. Wilson, F. W. Hall-Jones, G. Folster, A. J. Bradshaw and G. Shaw.

Since he arrived in Invercargill four years ago his associations with the Southland Aero Club had been extremely happy, said Mr Adams in reply. Much of the success of the club had been due to the committee, Mr Cuthill, Mr Cameron and the ground staff. The members of the ground staff were responsible for the servicing of the machines and thus it would be realized how important was the part played by these men. In some districts friction was known to have existed between the committee and the instructor, but this had not been the case in Invercargill, the committee having given every assistance possible. He thanked the various speakers for their remarks.

On behalf of the club Mr McDonald presented Mr Adams with a cheque. Mr J. Adams, on behalf of the Gore Club, made a presentation of a shaving outfit.