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Aviation History
1929
1929-1 - 0055.PDF
FLIGHT, JULY 4, 1929 Old Sarum : An aerial view of one of the Cambridge Air Squad- ron's Avro-Lynx machines flying low and parallel to the old Roman ruins of Old Sarum in Wiltshire, close to the aerodrome where the Squadron is now in training. flown at all before June 16. During the training at Old Sarum the members average about 15 hours' flying if the •weather is favourable, which is pretty good when one remembers that Wednesday is only half a day and Saturday an off day so far as flying is concerned. During term time last year the members averaged about four hours' flying, which was double the average of the previous year. In one very important and significant respect this year has shown a great advance over previous years. Never before have more than three members in one year applied for regular commissions in the Royal Air Force. This year nine have applied. Only men who have taken their B.A. degree are eligible for University commissions, and they receive an antedate of 12 months ; those with first-class honours receive a total antedate of 18 months. One of the nine, now Pilot Officer B. F. Cox, joined the service last February. Before going to a Flying Training School he had done 120 hours' flying, which is considerably more than can usually be managed at Cranwell. He left the F.T.S. with a Distinguished Pass, and has been posted, somewhat curiously, to No. 16 Army Co-operation Squadron at Old Sarum. Four other applicants for commissions have done over 100 hours' flying already, and during the training at Old Sarum and their Reserve training may well put in another 30 hours before they go to a F.T.S. Seven of the nine hold the squadron's certificate of proficiency, which means that they have passed an Air Ministry examination in airmanship, theory of flight, rigging, engines, and pilotage. The Royal Air Force could hardly hope for better material for its officers. About six of this year's squadron have obtained posts in aircraft firms, and one, Mr. Alston, who has been helping Prof. Melvill Jones in research work, has been given an appointment at the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farn borough. Flying does not occupy all the time at Old Sarum, nor do lectures. Expeditions are made, and one day lately the whole course went to Gosport and was shown over H.M. Aircraft Carrier Furious. On off days the members motor about the country, often down to the sea for a bathe, and the staff make a point of taking those men who have not cars of their own for drives. A challenge cup is played for annually between the squadron and the station. Last year the station won it, and the contest is now in progress. The station has scored eight points by winning the cricket match, and the C.U.A.S. six points by a win at lawn tennis. The match at squash rackets will decide the fate of the cup for this year. The C.U.A.S., of course, is handicapped by never having its full strength present all at one time. The machine establishment of the squadron is eight Lynx Avros and four Bristol Fighters, with one of each type in reserve. The quality of some of the flying is very good. One day the CO. observed a machine do two very perfect slow rolls, and remarked that that must be his most skilful instructor. But that instructor proved to be sitting j ust behind him, and finally it turned out that it was a member of the squadron solo in the machine. The CO. remarked that he did not tell him how very good the rolls were, for fear he should get swelled head. Let us hope that that member is one of the few who does not read FLIGHT. African Air Route AT a meeting of the Imperial Communications Committee of the British Empire League, presided over by Sir Henry Page Croft, M.P., at the British Empire Club, the following resolution was unanimously adopted :—" That, having regard to the recommendations of the Council of the British Empire League to His Majesty's Government in 1928, with reference to an ' All-Red ' air route through Africa, the Imperial Communications Committee of the League expresses the hope that His Majesty's Government will allow nothing to delay the commencement of the Trans-African Air Route from Alexandria to Cape Town, as the joint scheme of the Cobham-Blackburn Air Lines and Imperial Airways, Ltd., has ibeen ready to be put into operation for some months." Dissolution Honour AMONGST the names in the list of Dissolution Honours, which was published in a Supplement to the London Gazette on June 28, is that of Sir Philip Albert Gustave David Sassoon, Bt., G.B.E., C.M.G., M.P., to be Privy Councillor. Sir Philip Sassoon was a Member of Parliament for Hythe Division since 1912. Under-Secretary of State for Air, November, 1924, to June, 1929. R.A.F. Promotions THE Air Ministry announced the half-yearly promotions in the Royal Air Force. Air Vice-Marshals Sir Edward Ellington and Sir William Geoffrey Salmond are promoted Air Marshals, while Air Commodores R. H. Clark-Hall and A. E, Borton become Air Vice-Marshals. 553
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