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Aviation History
1946
1946 - 0206.PDF
FLIGHT Hal ion School The "Public School of the R.A.R" : Comprehensive Training for Aircraft Apprentices T HE term " ex-apprentice " in the Royal Air Force issynonymous with sound training. Any officer orairman who is an ex-apprentice has received the )inest service training that is available, for usually he has joined the R.A.F. straight from school, and he has invari- ably completed three years' apprenticeship before being posted to a Service squadron. Twenty-six years ago Viscount Trenchard, then Chief of the Air Staff, conceived the aircraft apprentice scheme. He realised that only the most highly skilled tradesmen could ensure an efficient Air Force, and that such tradesmen were not readily available. To form the necessary nucleus of Mich men, it was essential to begin with the best possible niitcrial, for, as befits a technical service, the recruits needed to have reached a good educational standard, to be capable of assimilating advanced technical knowledge and training, and to be medically fit. The first entry of 235 aircraft apprentices was sent to Cranwell for training in various trades in February, 1920, but of the entry in January, 1922, half went to Halton, and thus No. 1 School of Technical Training began. In i<)2b the fitter apprentice entry at Cranwell was also trans- ferred to Halton, which henceforward was entrusted with the training of all the mechanical trades, and, to date, over 18,800 ex-apprentices ihave passed out from the school. Ol this number, well over 4,000 have attained commissioned tank—a tribute to the quality of Halton's instruction. Anyone who looks around Halton realises at once that il is no ordinary R.A.F. station. It* has an atmosphere such as is engendered only by tradition, and when one sees I he long list of high honours and decorations awarded to ex- I lalton boys, one knows that the training has not been in vain. The station is spacious and well laid out. Everything is orderly, and the barrack blocks particularly are a model of cleanliness and good order. The boys lay out their kits with abso- lute precision, not merely because there is a trophy for the best barrack room, but because there is, clearly, a personal pride which is all too uncommon nowadays. The polish on floors and accoutrements is such that it is easy to be- lieve the "rumour that ap- prentices have been known to remove their shoes at the threshold of the barrack room and walk across the room in stockinged feet to avoid spoiling the look of the floor. This cleanliness and care is not peculiar to the barrack room, however. Every part of the school reflects the same pride and tradition, even to the boiler room, where truly one could " eat one's food off the floor." Education and— The average age of the apprentices is about 16-J years. To be eligible for entry to the school they must be between the ages of 15J and 17, and also be educated up lo school certificate standards, or .pass an equivalent entrance examination. During their three years at the school, the , boys continue their education, and, irrespective of the trade for which they are ultimately trained, all undergo a common course for the first year, covering such subjects as English history, mathe- matics, aeronautics, engineer- ing science, drawing and mechanics. In addition, they are given General Service Training, which aims at turn- ing them into thoroughly dis- ciplined airmen, for every ap- prentice signs on for twelve years' continuous service with the R.A.F. from the age of 18. -At the end of the first year each apprentice is interviewed by a Central Trade Test. Board, and, depending on his progress during the year and his natural inclinations, he is selected for training in one of, the Fitter or Mechanic trades. At present five trades are covered at Halton: Fitter (engine), Fitter (airframe). Fitter Armourer, Electrician and Instrument Maker, and every effort is made to train, each apprentice in the trade for which he is most suited. This is not a showpiece. Asmart turn-out and a spotless barrack room are just a partof the Halton tradition,
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