FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1924
1924 - 0011.PDF
JANUARY 3, 1924 AIR FORCE RESERVE OF OFFICERS Two Hundred Additional Pilots Required. First Seaplane Training School Being Opened. THE Air Ministry announces that the expansion of the Reserve •of Air Force Officers by the admission of ex-officers of the Flying Services and others with special qualifications for flying and technical duties, which was decided upon in February last, has proved an unqualified success, and the 'number of pilots asked for the Reserve during the present year were obtained without serious difficulty. Four civil schools have been established for training Reserve pilots—near London by the De Havilland Aircraft Company, at Bristol by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, at Coventry by the Sir W. G. Armstrong- Whitworth Aircraft, Ltd., and near Glasgow by Sir William Beardmore and Co. Approximately 250,000 miles have been flown by Reserve pilots at these schools since their formation. . It has now been decided that a further expansion of the Reserve should take place immediately, in order to increase the strength of the Reserve, and the Royal Air Force is therefore prepared to enrol approximately 200 additional pilots for the Reserve from those who served as pilots in the flying services during the War or who hold civil licences for flying commercial aircraft. As a large proportion of the pilots who have already entered the Reserve reside south of the Trent, where three of the present training schools are situated, it has also been decided to establish within a short time two new training schools in the North of England, so that better facilities can be provided to ex-pilots residing in the North than exist at present, and it is therefore hoped that the present announcement will result in an adequate response to join the Reserve from ex-pilots residing North of the Trent and in Scotland, where the numbers desired have not yet been obtained. It is proposed to open one of the new schools at a convenient centre in the North-West of England, and the other at Brough, in Yorkshire, where the first seaplane training will be under taken. Land-plane training will also be given at this school. Candidates for the Reserve, who should not be, as a general rule, more than 31 years of age, and who must enrol for a minimum period of three years' service, will be interviewed by a Selection Committee and examined by a Medical Board, either in London or at certain centres in the North, which will be notified in due course. Reserve pilots are required to complete not less than 12 hours' flying each year on up-to-date war-type machines, and carry out the tests laid down by the Air Ministry from time to time. Whenever possible this training is carried out quarterly, in periods of not less than two days and not more than six days in each quarter. In the first instance it may be necessary for pilots to carry out a re-qualifying course before proceeding with the normal training, and every endeavour is made in these circumstances to have the course carried out to suit the convenience of the officers concerned. Accepted candidates will be paid retaining fees <of ;£30 per annum, and they will also receive Royal Air Force rates of pay and allowances of their rank during their period of training. While candidates are required to pay their own travelling expenses when appearing before the Selection and Medical Boards, all subsequent travelling expenses in connection with flying training will be paid by the Air Ministry. Application forms and full information regarding the Reserve can be obtained from the Secretary, Air Ministry, Adastral House, Kingsway, London, W.C. 2. H a H H CORRESPONDENCE The Editor does not hold himself responsible for opinions expressed by correspondents. The names and addresses of the writers, not necessarily for publication, must in all cases accompany letters intended for insertion in these columns. THE SELFRIDGE 1,000-GUINEA PRIZE [2081 ] I have read with interest that is to some extent personal, of the proposed transferring, subject to the con currence of Mr. Selfridge, of the 1,000-guinea prize for a human-propelled flight of 50 miles, to the light 'plane class. May I add my voice to that of your correspondent, and suggest that it would be more than a pity to quash the only incentive in the matter of a prize existing for this type of study in aeronautical science ? You mention that " In Germany the interest is as keen as ever, but the subject is tackled differently." Quite, so. Our Government in general must eventually be taught that British patriotism starves and becomes lethargic if they allow it to do so. The percentage of imaginative and inventive powers prevalent in the British people is greater than in any in the world. In fact, every country other than our own places every incentive possible forward to those who might possibly assist in their advancement. The inventive powers of the British people cannot be more accurately proved than by the fact of our sudden jumps to success, in almost every case a record of its class, absolutely on the spur of the moment. Instance, the Great War. Our superior ships, guns, aeroplanes, and equipment, all the product of sudden emergencies and British brains, not years of study and preparation. Not being a literary expert, I am eulogising on these points in order that it may rouse discussion amongst members of the Aero Club who hold positions in Government circles, and others who may have the opportunity of putting forward assistance and incentives to the general public to use their mind energies to their country's and, incidentally, to their own advantage. I have pleasure in advising you that I am personally H H • Indian Army Officers' Pay in Iraq A REVISION of the emoluments of Indian Army officers serving in Iraq has been approved, with effect from April 1, 1922. The new conditions include a Colonial allowance of Rs. 100 per mensem. Claims by officers who served in Iraq prior to October 1, 1922, but left the country before that date should be submitted to the Command Paymaster, Overseas Bases, " Iraq Section," The Hutments, Woolwich Common, London, or the Brigade Accountant, Royal Air Force, Baghdad, whichever holds the pay accounting records of the claimant concerned. making, for an experiment, a biplane for adaptation to human power or motor and human power by the method of pulsating wing propulsion. It was my direct intention to compete for Mr. Selfridge's prize, but time has beaten me in this instance, and, in consequence, I shall not be ready to compete until March 1, 1924. I have piloted and experimented with 16 different types of planes, and have some remarkable results from my models featuring pulsating wing propulsion. My compliments to Mr. Gray of Berwick-on-Tweed, who, I hope, will have success enough to give me at least a keen competitor. F. J. FRAPE, East Dulwich. Ex-Lieut.. R.A.F. December 24, 1923. SELFRIDGE GLIDER PRIZE [2082j I note you ask for other views re the above. This prize offers inducement not only to gliders, but to self- propelled machines, and to produce this involves the expendi ture of considerable time and experiment. No doubt, there are numbers of enthusiasts and experienced practical mechanics who, like myself, have been working on this problem, secretly, for the last twelve months, to produce a self-propelled glider. I have been able to obtain more than enough propulsion for sustained flight, and hope shortly to complete my machine and test same, but can only afford to do so in my spare time. It seems a pity to transfer the prize to the more wealthy concerns and probably less efficient machines, and take away the only chance the working mechanic has to show his ability. EXPERIENCED ENTHUSIAST. a H Claims by officers who served in Iraq prior to October 1, 1922, but continued serving in the country after that date should be submitted, for adjustment, to the Brigade Accountant, Royal Air Force, Baghdad. A Mexican Air Line A CONTRACT providing for a commercial air service (between Vera Cruz and Progreso) has been signed by the Mexican Minister of War with the Aerial Navigation Co. of Mexico. This company, which is allied with the Colombian German Air Transport Co. (Scadta), will use Junkers machines and German pilots.
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
