A FLYING SCHOOL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11892, 29 December 1916, Page 7

A FLYING SCHOOL.

NOTABLE EVENT OF THE YEAR.

An event of signal importance m the year 1916 was the formation of a company for the teaching of flying in Canterbury. The idea originated with the Hon H. P. Wigram, who saw in it tho realisation of a hope that he had long entertained of helping the Mother Country in a definite manner m the more modern problems of defence. The formation of the comoany was taken up by other leading citizens, with the result that & strong directorate was formed, and plans were put in hand for an early commencement of flying. An area of land was secured alongside the Plurapton Racecourse, approximating to tho Hendon flying area at Home, and it is here that the first New Zealand land flying school will have its genesis. The school should take it»s first pupils early in the New Year, since the planes and engines are already on the way. The land is very handy to Christchurch, situated on the plains, in what has been described xis an ideal flying area. Canterbury has none of the dangerous air currents (that may be expected in hill country, but a steady reliable flying wind, which blows from the sea on about five days out of six. In addition there are many suitable landing places, and altogether the flying school at Sockburn will be started under very favourable conditions. Of course, flying has now been reduced to a science, in which risk only occurs as the result of carelessness, ajid it is understood that there will be no shortage of flying recruits. There is another flying school ait Aucklandj but owing to the lack of suitable land it has been confined to seaplane flying, depending on .the water of tho harbour for a " landing." will have the first land school, and it is hoped to turn out many recruits for the Royal Flying Corps. The fees will not be heavy, and tho problem of finance is largely solved for the beginner by the fact that the Government makes a refund to qualified aviators as soon as they can pass the necessary tests. Possibly tho war will be over "before any Canterbury recruits reach. fche field of operations, but the school has before it. an unlimited field of usefulness not only as a feeder for the permanent aerial defence of tho future, but al?o_ as a training ground for commercial flying enter. prise. .