DISCIPLINE OF PILOTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 January 1933, Page 6

DISCIPLINE OF PILOTS.

The salutary penalties imposed on two Taranaki aeroplane pilots by the council of the Western Federated Flying Club is an indication that > the club has undertaken the control of flying in all seriousness. In one instance life suspension was the penalty for dangerous flying, concerning which previous warnings had been given. In the other case a pilot was fined £2O, half the cost of repairs to the machine, for landing on an unauthorised ground, and flying a • temporarily repaired machine to Wellington against the instructions of the ground engineer. Even-handed justice is difficult to dispense in such cases, and the club must be commended for taking a firm stand. Generally speaking, pilots have shown a thorough appreciation of their responsibilities, and disciplinary action has rarely been necessary. The controlling authorities have no wish to discourage aviation among young New Zealanders—their chief aim, of course, is in the reverse direction—but they realise their duty to the public and are evidently determined to keep a firm hand on the reins and conduct flying on as safe and sane a basis as possible. To some extent public money is involved in the provision of aero club machines, and that must be protected. Then there is the danger to life and limb in irresponsible "stunts” in the air. And if a pilot disobeys instructions and goes off on an unauthorised flight there is the possibility of painful and costly consequences if he comes to grief in unknown territory. Undoubtedly it is in the national interest that civil aviation should be advanced, and the outstanding method by which that object can be achieved is by giving the public confidence in the pilots and their machines. Therefore by necessary disciplinary action, no matter how unpleasant a duty it may be, the aero clubs are conferring the greatest possible benefit on civil aviation.