BIG REFRESHER COURSE AT ’DROME

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18985, 3 February 1930, Page 11

BIG REFRESHER COURSE AT ’DROME

PILOTS FROM ALL OVER NEW ZEALAND GATHER.

There is a bustle of preparation at the Wigram Aerodrome, for to-day the refresher course of the year starts, and pilots from all o\ T er New' Zealand will gather at the country’s main air centre to undergo ten days of flying practice, machine gun and bombing practice, and lectures.

This year notification whs sent to every active pilot in the country, and acceptances have been received from forty-six. some of whom have not been “in" at Wigram before. The course has been divided up into periods, during which the following officers will train:—

First batch, from February 3 to February 12 inclusive: Flight Lieutenants J. C. Mercer, N. H. Barlow, G. B. Bolt, W. M’Kenzie, M. C. M’Gregor, and I. L. Kight, Flying Officer N. Vale, Pilot Officers A. C. Parson, M. J. Cameron, A. V. Gladstone.

The second batch, which trains from February 17 till February 29: Flight Lieutenants T. W. White, J. D. Hewett, P. K. Fow’ler, H. C. Lloyd, S. A. Gibbons, and W. L. Harrison, Flying Officers J. Thompson and E. G. Olsen, Pilot Officers J. E. Rawnsley, E. L. Dallinger and K. A. M’Kenzie. The third group, which commences on March 3. is: Flying Officers J. W. Craig and P. Milford Burgess, Pilot Officers W. C. G. Mackie. W. F. Harston, A. Cassie, R. G. M’Donald, W. G. Coull, R. B. Reynolds, A. H. Keene, R. A. Jackson, A. D. Poulton, J. M. Smith and J. Philcox. Flight Lieutenant A. W. Buckley will be in charge.

All the visiting officers are being billeted in tents at the aerodrome. This afternoon the dual flying commences. All the 'planes at the aerodrome, Grebes, Bristol Fighters, Avros and Moths, will be used.