THIRD REFRESHER FLYING COURSE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18088, 23 February 1927, Page 9

THIRD REFRESHER FLYING COURSE.

NEWCOMERS TO WIGRAM AERODROME HAVE HIGH STANDARD TO REACH. While artillerymen, infantry and engineers are busy in their respective camps undergoing military training, there is still another active ground in Christchurch. It is the Wigram Aerodrome. where annual refresher courses are in operation. To-day the third course was commenced. Captains G. Hood, S. A. Gibbon. M.C., M’Gregor, D.F.C., Lieutenants J. W. H. Lett, J. R. Moncrief, J. W. Craig and G. Bolt and Second-lieutenant N. L. Vale going into quarters at the aerodrome this morning and commencing flying this afternoon. There was more flying done during the last two courses than has been done before by any two batches of pilots at the aerodrome, and the newcomers have been set a high standard'to reach to surpass the record of either one of these. Needless to sav, they 'arc confident that theirs shall be the course that will be recognised as the standard for 1927. Fifteen machines are in commission for the course, and it is intended to get in some formation flying, a branch of aviation that is attractive to both pilots and spectators. Stunting is forbidden over Christchurch, as several objections have been raised by residents. Many, however, will miss the fascinating exhibitions that they were treated to before the regulation was enforced. The aerodrome is steadily becoming more and more like the efficient unit that its associates would like to see it. Better machines arc on the way from England, and within a few weeks the 4 drome will boast a flight (six machines) of Bristol JFighters. three new ’planes of that type being added to the three already there. These new Bristols will be fitted with Rolls-Falcon engines of 250 h.p., which will make them capable of developing a speed of 112 miles an %iour. Besides the Bristols a D.H.50 machine is being added. This will be fitted with the old type Siddelev-Puma engine, as used in the D.H.9 at present at the aerodrome. Better equipment is also being shipped from England. The new Air Force uniform will shortly be worn by the New Zealand Flying Corps, the having already been sent from England. It is a light shade of blue in colour and is very attractive.

Captains J. L. Findlay, M.C. (Wigram Aerodrome) and T. M. Wilkes (Wellington) have just completed examinations for promotion to the rank of major. They will not know how they have fared,until about April, as the papers have to be sent to England for marking.