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Aviation History
1935
1935 - 0859.PDF
APRIL 18, 1935. FLIGHT. 413 wireless operator mechanic, the R.A.F. catches its tradesmen young and trains them up in the Way it would have them go. The Electrical and Wireless School for apprentices is at Cran- well, but by far the largest school is Halton, and there all but the wireless operator mechanics and instrument makers receive their training. Boys who are accepted for training at either of the two schools, Halton and Cran- well, may count themselves very lucky indeed. Boys when they enter Halton must be between the ages of fifteen and seventeen, and normally they spend three years at the school. In that time they receive thorough training in a trade, and also a sound general education, while thev get every opportunity to take part in all the regular games which boys love—cricket, Rugby, soccer,. athletics, etc. The sports fields are extensive, and there is quite a forest of goal posts on them. Of course, everything is found for the apprentices. They are not only housed and fed and clothed right well, but also receive pay, one shilling a day during their first two years, and eighteen pence a day afterwards until they pass out as aircraftmen. They receive religious instruction from the chaplains of the several denominations, and there is an institution called the Halton Society which organises all out-of-school activities except sport, model aircraft, and engineering, which are run separately. More of the Halton Society hereafter. A boy who is - accepted for Halton—and only boys of good educational standard can expect to be taken—may feel sure that he has before him The Apprentices' Library, in which practically all books bearing on their work can be found, as well as a good store of sound fiction. Flight photograph.) three very good years which he will thoroughly enjoy. Parents who are thinking of entering their boys for Halton will first want to know all about the prospects and liabilities. As stated above, the age for entry is between fifteen and seventeen, and the average period of training at Halton is three years. On entry into Halton each apprentice has to "attest " (which means promise to serve) for twelve years from the age of eighteen to that of thirty. He is then trained in one of the trades, cf which the largest and therefore the most important is fitter. On passing out from Halton he is ranked as Aircraftman 2nd class, Aircraftman 1st class, or Leading Air craftman. The daily pay of an A/C.2 is 3s. 6d., of an A/C.i 4s. 3d., and of a L.A/C. 5s. 6d. After three years' service the L.A/C. rises to 6s. a day. Besides the ordinary prospects of promotion to non-commissioned officer and warrant officer, there are chances of the aircraftman becoming an airman pilot with the rank of sergeant. A very few receive direct commissions from the ranks. A limited num ber of aircraftmen, after completing their twelve years' service are allowed to re-engage to complete twenty-four years, and then become eligible for pension. Those who pass to the Reserve after twelve years' service receive a gratuity of /100. A still more attractive prospect than that lies before Halton appren tices. Each year a very few of the outstanding apprentices are given cadetships and pass to the R.A.F. College at Cranwell, whence they emerge as officers on the general duties branch of the Royal Air Force. Hotv to Qet In There are two methods of entering Halton, by competitive examination and by direct entry. The competitive examination is held twice a year at numerous local centres, and competitors must first obtain a nomination from a lecal education authority, an advisory committee for juvenile employment, a govern ing body of an approved school, the council of the Boy Scouts Association, the County Terri torial Force Association, the British National Cadet Association, or the Ministry of Education Two scenes in the workshops ; the upper picture shows a class learning the faults which may occur in a magneto, and the lower one illustrates repairs to metal floats of a seaplane. (Flight photographs.)
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