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Aviation History
1932
1932 - 1065.PDF
FLIGHT, OCTOBER 20, 1932 Aircraft Engineering Training (Continued from page 970) S Br^ HIS week we continue the article, which was \ ^ H started in last week's issue, giving information H for those who wish to enter aircraft works or flying schools as apprentices and those who may desire to partake of training which will enable them to pass the examinations for the various categories of ground engineer's licence. It should be pointed out that the infor mation contained in this article is not binding in any way but is merely designed to serve as a guide to the facilities to be found at each individual manufacturer. Moreover, in the majority of cases it is as well to warn prospective applicants that most of the manufacturers already have a long waiting list and that there is very little hope in most cases of boys being taken on at once. Having decided where they wish to go they must make their application and then take their line in the queue, so to speak. BLACKBURNS The Blackburn Aeroplane & Motor Co., Ltd., Brough, E. Yorkshire BLACKBURN aircraft are extremely well known all the world over for their sturdy construction and the general utility of their Service types. Their machines have been used in the Fleet Air Arm for a very long time, and both their seaplanes and flying boats are in use for coastal defence. They are nowadays naturally of metal construc tion, and their light aeroplane, the " Bluebird," a side- by-side two-seater, is one of the very few light civil machines to have all-metal, fabric-covered wings. The successor to the " Bluebird " is the " B.2 Trainer," and here a further step has been taken by fabricating the whole fuselage, including the covering, from duralumin. This trainer is an excellent aircraft, and many of the smaller foreign countries are taking a very great interest in it. They also have other large civil aircraft which have, been built to the order of the Air Ministry. The firm has recently entered into a training scheme agreement with the University College of Hull and the Hull Municipal Technical College. This scheme entails a course of four years nine months. The first two years of this period are spent in the firm's workshops and during this time the students are required to attend evening classes at the Hull Municipal Technical College, where they are expected to take the national certificate of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, qualifying them to take the course of aeronautics at the University. The following two years are then spent in studying aero nautics, mathematics, and physics, at the University and work in the engin eering and other departments of the Technical College. At the end of this time the students should be able to qualify for the University Diploma in aeronautics. The last nine months are then spent in the firm's drawing office. Works' apprentices are also taken and these spend most of their time in the fitting shop or the repair shops, but no particular scheme of training for Ground Engineers' licences is in operation. ROLLS ROYCE Rolls Royce Ltd., Derby ROLLS-ROYCE aircraft engines are now too well known to need description ; suffice it to say that they are stan dardised in the R.A.F., and used for many of the fastest aircraft in the world. It was, of course, the Rolls-Royce " R " type engine which enabled us finally to win the Schneider Trophy with the Supermarine S.6B. The firm occasionally has vacancies for premium apprentices who are taught the manufacture of motor car chassis and aero engines. Their course is for four years and it is advised that youths should commence before they are older than 17 years of age. The course is entirely practical and consists of experience in all the various workshops. Facilities are also available for obtaining theoretical training at the local technical college, the expense of which has to be borne by the apprentice. At the present time the works have their full complement of apprentices and there is a long waiting list. It is advisable therefore that application should be made to the company some time before intending apprentices reach 17 years of age, so that vacancies may be reserved. A.S.T. Air Service Training, Ltd., Hamble, Southampton THIS company is, as our readers know, primarily a fly ing training establishment, and for that reason few, if any, pupils are taken for training for ground engineers' licences, who are not at the same time taking a course of flying. The school has already been fully described in our pages, so that it will suffice to remind readers that few such establishments in the world are better equipped to give thorough instruction in all branches of flying, using both land and seaplanes. Occasionally, exceptions are made where for some special reason the pupil does not wish to take a course of flying, and under these circum stances there is a two years' course for the "A," " C ' and " X " licence, the latter being for the care and main tenance of parachutes and care and adjustment of com passes. The fee charged for this course is £200. REDWING Redwing Aircraft Co., Ltd., Gatwick Aerodrome, Surrey THE REDWING AIRCRAFT Co. is a company formed for the manufacture of commercial aircraft of the type which appeals to the private owner. The " Redwing," as their machine is called, is a fairly lightly-loaded side-by-side two-seater biplane with an Armstrong-Siddeley " Genet " engine. This machine is particularly easy to fly, and is already in use at a number of flying clubs. It is of fairly orthodox construction, with a boxed plywood fuselage and fabric-covered surfaces built up with spruce spars and ribs. It is a straightforward job which lands very slowly indeed and is very comfortable to fly in all weathers. The com pany has a factory at Colchester aerodrome, but their main operations are carried on at Gatwick, where they have their school of flying and aeronautical engineering. They have a comprehensive scheme of courses laid out which includes those suitable for persons wishing to learn to fly, as well as those who merely wish to take their ground engineer's licence. There is the two years students' course, including 120 hours flying, for which the total fees payable at £20 per month are £480 ; one year's students' course, with 60 hours flying, costing £240, payable at the same rate as above ; the course for pilot's " B " licence, including 120 hours flying, costing £300 ; the course for pilots' " A " licence, with 60 hours flying, "costing £175,~or with only 14 to 15 hours flying, £45 ; and a ground engineers' course, which costs £8 per month. The extended students' courses include practical workshop training, covering maintenance of aircraft and inspection ; processes of manufacture ; theoretical training in aeronautics, mathematics and design ; drawing office practice ; aerodrome management ; and of course flying training. Those wishing for further infor mation about this school should apply to the Secretary of the company at the above address. GENERAL AIRCRAFT General Aircraft, Ltd., Airport of London, Croydon GENERAL AIRCRAFT are noteworthy as the firm which has developed the " Monospar " system of wing construction. Their works at Croydon are now laid out for the pro duction of a very interesting four-seater cabin machine having two Pobjoy engines. Several of these machines have already been delivered, and are giving very great satisfaction in the hands of both private and commercial users. They are, of course, extremely up to date and built of metal throughout. At the present moment pro duction is not very large, but is increasing rapidly, and as soon as the full benefit of the preliminary organisation takes force, it is expected that a steady flow of these machines will be forthcoming. The " Monospar " method of construction is particularly interesting, and experience gained with this form should stand lads in very good stead if they at any time take up positions with other firms. Apprentices are accepted by the company under a premium of £50 for a twelve months' course of instruction, which includes practical instruction in metal bending, rolling, general assembly, tool fitting construction, engine maintenance, etc. At the conclusion of these twelve months the company undertakes, subject to the conduct of the apprentices being satisfactory, to start them as improver apprentices at not less than 9d. per hour. Arrange ments are being made for apprentices to have facility for theoretical instruc tion in general aircraft practice at one of the aeronautical colleges wherein they will be encouraged to take such instruction at their own cost. NORTHERN AIR LINES Northern Air Lines Ltd., Airport of Manchester, Lanes. THIS company is that which operates the airport at Manchester, and they do quite an extensive business in flying training, taxi work and joyriding. Their engine and aircraft repair and overhaul workshops are well fitted, admirably organised and suitable in every way for teaching pupils all about the care and maintenance of aircraft. They have a definite system of instruction and sometimes have vacancies for young men to enter their workshops with a view to obtaining Ground Engineers' Licences. Agreements for these are usually made with their manager as an individual arrangement. 993
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