Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 31, 2010 1:22:50 GMT 12
I began to read Gold Wings and Webbed Feet by Don Nairn today, something I've wanted to do for months after meeting him at Wairakei and staying with him and his wife in AMsterton and having the opportunity to interview him.
Anyway a little into the book he mentioned that he did night classes at the School of Aeronautics in Wellington in the 1930's.
I was intrigued by this school, I'd never heard of it. Wondering who ran it, what it taught etc., I was going to ask here on the forum if anyone knew. Then the thought occurred to consult the excellent Papers Past website. I have found some interesting stuff on the school, so I decided I'll post it up here in chronological order.
We begin with a letter to the editor:
GROUND ENGINEERS
Evening Post , Issue 18, 19 October 1936, Page 8
(To the Editor.)
Sir, —Would you kindly , allow me space in your paper to reply to the criticism of Mr. S. E. Nielson, secretary of the New Zealand Aero Club, regarding the lack of training for ground engineers. I wish to point out that an efficient and very successful School of Aeronautics is at present in operation in Wellington, and offers all the possibilities for Souths who wish to follow this essential branch of aviation.—l am, etc.,
N. H. FISK.
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Here's an article of great interest to those who liked the NZPAF Bristol Fighters
PENSIONED OFF
Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 130, 28 November 1936, Page 10
BRISTOL FIGHTERS
WAR YEAR DESIGN
Having been "written off" for active service purposes as obsolescent, the four Bristol Fighters of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, are to be used to train ground engineers and aircraftmen, but they will not be used for flying any more. They are to be used only for ground training.
The four machines have been in service at Wigram Aerodrome, Christchurch, since about 1927, but they date far back in design—to the war year of 1917, in fact. One of the machines has been handed over to the Wellington Aero Club and was flown yesterday from Wigram to Rongotai, its last flight. This machine will probably be lent to the Dominion School of Aeronautics.
Another Bristol is to be flown to Palmerston North, probably next week, for use at the Palmerston North Technical College, where a course in theoretical and practical training on aeroplane engine and frame repair and maintenance has been established. Two Bristol Fighters will be retained by the R.N.Z.A.F. forgiving instruction to junior members of the ground staff at Wigram.
#############################
And another:
AERONAUTICAL TRAINING.
Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 134, 3 December 1936, Page 6
Full facilities for the training of pupils in the science of aeronautics are now available at the Dominion School of Aeronauitics in Lambton Quay. The school is equipped with all the aids requisite for a thorough practical and theoretical training, and is in charge of Mr. E. F. G. Sharp, formerly a sergeant rigger, with the Royal Air Force. A series, of lecture demonstrations, which have been examined and approved by the Wellington Aero Club, has been drafted, and arrangements are made for instruction to be either supervised or given by qualified engineers.
#############################
An Advert for the School
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2
Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 134, 3 December 1936, Page 8
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There are lots more adverts through 1937 in the Evening post, then we come to this:
SCHOOL OF AERONAUTICS
Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 152, 24 December 1937, Page 5
The Dominion School of Aeronautics held its graduation "smoko" recently at the club rooms of the Wellington Air League. A full muster of students attended, and the occasion was made a very merry one.
Mr. C. W. Batten presided over the presentation ceremonies. The "Raymond Santos" Cup, for the group with best marks for the six months term, was won by group 5 led by Group-Leader J. P. McKenzie, who also took first place with highest marks.
Messrs. S. G. Bish, I. L. Jones J. McLennon, J. E. Ord, J. Tegg, J. H. Watts, and S. E. White were the other members of the winning group.
The cup was presented by Mr. Batten, who, in congratulating the winners, extended his best wishes to the school and its principal. Mr. E. F. G. Sharp, in this endeavour to supply a much-needed opportunity for aeronautical theory and' practice to the public of Wellington. Mr. Batten also presented all students who were successful in passing their examination with school badges, which are of a very distinctive design.
The toasts during the evening were: —The King, proposed by Mr. Batten; "The School." proposed by Mr. Batten and responded to by Mr. E. F. G. Sharp (principal) on behalf of the staff and students; "Aero Clubs and Services" (Mr. J. K. Larney and Mr. A. J. Dingle); and "The Air League and Kindred Bodies" (Mr. Atkinson and Mr. C. A. Pownell, secretary Air League).
Musical items were sunplied by Messrs. Greer, Wrightson, J. Smith, and T. Smith. The gathering concluded with a community sing and "Auld Lang Syne."
#############################
The next time the school comes up, Mr Sharo is in trouble...
UNUSUAL CASE
Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 73, 23 September 1938, Page 11
BREACH OF CONTRACT
PURCHASE OF AEROPLANE
A very unusual case, in which the plaintiff sought to recover £100 damages for the breach of an agreement for the sale of an aeroplane by him to the defendant, was heard recently in the Magistrate's Court before Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M.
In a reserved judgment, the verdict was delivered in favour of the plaintiff for the sum of £37 10s. Mr. G. C. Kent appeared for the plaintiff, Roy Grant, a motor driver, and Mr. T. G. Taylor represented the defendant, Eric F. G. Sharp, director of the Dominion School of Aeronautics, Lambton Quay.
The contract for sale, dated July 30, 1937, provided that the purchase price should be £85, paid by instalments. These instalments had been paid. It was a term of the sale that, when a certificate of airworthiness was obtained for the aeroplane, the conditional purchaser agreed to allow the owner to use the machine for 50 hours' flying at no cost, and at times to be agreed upon, provided that the owner possessed the necessary licence.
It was alleged by the plaintiff that the defendant had refused to procure a certificate of airworthiness for the machine, and had so deprived the plaintiff of 50 hours' flying, valued by the plaintiff at £100. "The evidence shows that the plaintiff wanted £255 for the plane, but eventually agreed to sell it at £85 upon the defendant agreeing to allow him to use the machine for 50 hours' free flying and to give him a free course of instruction at the defendant's school of aeronautics," said the Magistrate in the course of the judgment. "The plaintiff was and still is the holder of an A licence, but could not qualify for a B licence until he had completed another 50 hours' flying.
NOT AIRWORTHY.
"At the time the sale was entered into, the defendant knew that a certificate of airworthiness could not be obtained for the aeroplane until extensive repairs and renovations had been carried out in accordance with a defective aircraft certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Branch of the Defence Department. Indeed, he had been in possession of the plane and the certificate for some months prior to the sale. The defendant has not carried out the required repairs and renovations because the cost would be too much. He has accordingly used ths machine for demonstration purposes at his school.
"I am satisfied from the evidence that the plane is capable of being made airworthy to the satisfaction of the authorities, but that the defendant refuses to do so because of the cost. No doubt he is wise in not spending the money. However, the plaintiff has been deprived of the free flying provided for in the agreement. "In my opinion the agreement for free flying was collateral to the agreement for sale and purchase, and was made in consideration of the plaintiff agreeing to sell the aeroplane for £85. It imposed an obligation on the defendant to take the necessary steps to procure a certificate of airworthiness, and to carry out any repairs or renovations necessary for that purpose. He prepared the agreement, and could have protected himself from liability by limiting his obligation to expend more than a certain sum on repairs and renovations. But he did not do so, and I am unable to find that the large amount required to make the plane airworthy justifies his refusal to do the work. "The plaintiff has therefore been deprived of 50 hours' flying, the value of which I assess at 15s per hour. Judgment will therefore be entered for the plaintiff for £37 10s, together with the usual costs."
#############################
News of the school of aeronautics ends here. I am wondering if the staff and equipment was absorbed into the RNZAF when the war broke out.
I also wonder how many of their students went on to successful careers in the RNZAF and other Allied air forces in WWII, and after the war into civil aviation.
Anyway a little into the book he mentioned that he did night classes at the School of Aeronautics in Wellington in the 1930's.
I was intrigued by this school, I'd never heard of it. Wondering who ran it, what it taught etc., I was going to ask here on the forum if anyone knew. Then the thought occurred to consult the excellent Papers Past website. I have found some interesting stuff on the school, so I decided I'll post it up here in chronological order.
We begin with a letter to the editor:
GROUND ENGINEERS
Evening Post , Issue 18, 19 October 1936, Page 8
(To the Editor.)
Sir, —Would you kindly , allow me space in your paper to reply to the criticism of Mr. S. E. Nielson, secretary of the New Zealand Aero Club, regarding the lack of training for ground engineers. I wish to point out that an efficient and very successful School of Aeronautics is at present in operation in Wellington, and offers all the possibilities for Souths who wish to follow this essential branch of aviation.—l am, etc.,
N. H. FISK.
#############################
Here's an article of great interest to those who liked the NZPAF Bristol Fighters
PENSIONED OFF
Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 130, 28 November 1936, Page 10
BRISTOL FIGHTERS
WAR YEAR DESIGN
Having been "written off" for active service purposes as obsolescent, the four Bristol Fighters of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, are to be used to train ground engineers and aircraftmen, but they will not be used for flying any more. They are to be used only for ground training.
The four machines have been in service at Wigram Aerodrome, Christchurch, since about 1927, but they date far back in design—to the war year of 1917, in fact. One of the machines has been handed over to the Wellington Aero Club and was flown yesterday from Wigram to Rongotai, its last flight. This machine will probably be lent to the Dominion School of Aeronautics.
Another Bristol is to be flown to Palmerston North, probably next week, for use at the Palmerston North Technical College, where a course in theoretical and practical training on aeroplane engine and frame repair and maintenance has been established. Two Bristol Fighters will be retained by the R.N.Z.A.F. forgiving instruction to junior members of the ground staff at Wigram.
#############################
And another:
AERONAUTICAL TRAINING.
Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 134, 3 December 1936, Page 6
Full facilities for the training of pupils in the science of aeronautics are now available at the Dominion School of Aeronauitics in Lambton Quay. The school is equipped with all the aids requisite for a thorough practical and theoretical training, and is in charge of Mr. E. F. G. Sharp, formerly a sergeant rigger, with the Royal Air Force. A series, of lecture demonstrations, which have been examined and approved by the Wellington Aero Club, has been drafted, and arrangements are made for instruction to be either supervised or given by qualified engineers.
#############################
An Advert for the School
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2
Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 134, 3 December 1936, Page 8
1937
RECORD Flying Year.
Higher Altitudes, Greater Speeds;
More Passenger Miles across the Atlantic,
the Pacific, and the Tasman.
STRONGER AND SAFER AIRCRAFT
And Thousands More Manufactured.
New Openings for Pilots, Navigators, Ground Engineers.
Make your 1937 Resolution Now:
To Acquire a "Practical Knowledge of Aviation.
Write or call
DOMINION SCHOOL OF AERONAUTICS
244 Lambton Quay, Wellington.
RECORD Flying Year.
Higher Altitudes, Greater Speeds;
More Passenger Miles across the Atlantic,
the Pacific, and the Tasman.
STRONGER AND SAFER AIRCRAFT
And Thousands More Manufactured.
New Openings for Pilots, Navigators, Ground Engineers.
Make your 1937 Resolution Now:
To Acquire a "Practical Knowledge of Aviation.
Write or call
DOMINION SCHOOL OF AERONAUTICS
244 Lambton Quay, Wellington.
#############################
There are lots more adverts through 1937 in the Evening post, then we come to this:
SCHOOL OF AERONAUTICS
Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 152, 24 December 1937, Page 5
The Dominion School of Aeronautics held its graduation "smoko" recently at the club rooms of the Wellington Air League. A full muster of students attended, and the occasion was made a very merry one.
Mr. C. W. Batten presided over the presentation ceremonies. The "Raymond Santos" Cup, for the group with best marks for the six months term, was won by group 5 led by Group-Leader J. P. McKenzie, who also took first place with highest marks.
Messrs. S. G. Bish, I. L. Jones J. McLennon, J. E. Ord, J. Tegg, J. H. Watts, and S. E. White were the other members of the winning group.
The cup was presented by Mr. Batten, who, in congratulating the winners, extended his best wishes to the school and its principal. Mr. E. F. G. Sharp, in this endeavour to supply a much-needed opportunity for aeronautical theory and' practice to the public of Wellington. Mr. Batten also presented all students who were successful in passing their examination with school badges, which are of a very distinctive design.
The toasts during the evening were: —The King, proposed by Mr. Batten; "The School." proposed by Mr. Batten and responded to by Mr. E. F. G. Sharp (principal) on behalf of the staff and students; "Aero Clubs and Services" (Mr. J. K. Larney and Mr. A. J. Dingle); and "The Air League and Kindred Bodies" (Mr. Atkinson and Mr. C. A. Pownell, secretary Air League).
Musical items were sunplied by Messrs. Greer, Wrightson, J. Smith, and T. Smith. The gathering concluded with a community sing and "Auld Lang Syne."
#############################
The next time the school comes up, Mr Sharo is in trouble...
UNUSUAL CASE
Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 73, 23 September 1938, Page 11
BREACH OF CONTRACT
PURCHASE OF AEROPLANE
A very unusual case, in which the plaintiff sought to recover £100 damages for the breach of an agreement for the sale of an aeroplane by him to the defendant, was heard recently in the Magistrate's Court before Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M.
In a reserved judgment, the verdict was delivered in favour of the plaintiff for the sum of £37 10s. Mr. G. C. Kent appeared for the plaintiff, Roy Grant, a motor driver, and Mr. T. G. Taylor represented the defendant, Eric F. G. Sharp, director of the Dominion School of Aeronautics, Lambton Quay.
The contract for sale, dated July 30, 1937, provided that the purchase price should be £85, paid by instalments. These instalments had been paid. It was a term of the sale that, when a certificate of airworthiness was obtained for the aeroplane, the conditional purchaser agreed to allow the owner to use the machine for 50 hours' flying at no cost, and at times to be agreed upon, provided that the owner possessed the necessary licence.
It was alleged by the plaintiff that the defendant had refused to procure a certificate of airworthiness for the machine, and had so deprived the plaintiff of 50 hours' flying, valued by the plaintiff at £100. "The evidence shows that the plaintiff wanted £255 for the plane, but eventually agreed to sell it at £85 upon the defendant agreeing to allow him to use the machine for 50 hours' free flying and to give him a free course of instruction at the defendant's school of aeronautics," said the Magistrate in the course of the judgment. "The plaintiff was and still is the holder of an A licence, but could not qualify for a B licence until he had completed another 50 hours' flying.
NOT AIRWORTHY.
"At the time the sale was entered into, the defendant knew that a certificate of airworthiness could not be obtained for the aeroplane until extensive repairs and renovations had been carried out in accordance with a defective aircraft certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Branch of the Defence Department. Indeed, he had been in possession of the plane and the certificate for some months prior to the sale. The defendant has not carried out the required repairs and renovations because the cost would be too much. He has accordingly used ths machine for demonstration purposes at his school.
"I am satisfied from the evidence that the plane is capable of being made airworthy to the satisfaction of the authorities, but that the defendant refuses to do so because of the cost. No doubt he is wise in not spending the money. However, the plaintiff has been deprived of the free flying provided for in the agreement. "In my opinion the agreement for free flying was collateral to the agreement for sale and purchase, and was made in consideration of the plaintiff agreeing to sell the aeroplane for £85. It imposed an obligation on the defendant to take the necessary steps to procure a certificate of airworthiness, and to carry out any repairs or renovations necessary for that purpose. He prepared the agreement, and could have protected himself from liability by limiting his obligation to expend more than a certain sum on repairs and renovations. But he did not do so, and I am unable to find that the large amount required to make the plane airworthy justifies his refusal to do the work. "The plaintiff has therefore been deprived of 50 hours' flying, the value of which I assess at 15s per hour. Judgment will therefore be entered for the plaintiff for £37 10s, together with the usual costs."
#############################
News of the school of aeronautics ends here. I am wondering if the staff and equipment was absorbed into the RNZAF when the war broke out.
I also wonder how many of their students went on to successful careers in the RNZAF and other Allied air forces in WWII, and after the war into civil aviation.
