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Post by NZ1009 on Sept 11, 2022 22:52:06 GMT 12
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Post by planewriting on Sept 12, 2022 10:51:56 GMT 12
Interesting discussion has been going on here in the last 24 hours! I have since discovered that the Trainer on display in the main hangar is noted as being preciously owned by TEAL (Tasman Empire Airways Limited) and ATC (Air Training Corps) Wanganui Squadron. Does this ring bells with anyone. What I would like to try and do is get any identity details that may pinpoint this Link Trainer.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 12, 2022 11:19:48 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 12, 2022 11:20:20 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 12, 2022 11:22:13 GMT 12
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Post by camtech on Sept 12, 2022 13:17:17 GMT 12
Thanks for all that information, guys. Once I can get the ADF admins to load the updates they have been sent, plus the ones I'm finalising here, I'll look at setting a page up for the NZ Link Trainers. An intention is to also add details on individual type simulators/procedure trainers etc to that individual type's page. Currently ADF admins are taking an age to upload updates - one has been submitted three times since December last year!
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Post by planewriting on Sept 12, 2022 18:03:22 GMT 12
Interesting discussion has been going on here in the last 24 hours! I have since discovered that the Trainer on display in the main hangar is noted as being preciously owned by TEAL (Tasman Empire Airways Limited) and ATC (Air Training Corps) Wanganui Squadron. Does this ring bells with anyone. What I would like to try and do is get any identity details that may pinpoint this Link Trainer. Thanks to Dave Homewood pointing me in the right direction. I have now found info stating the two Link Trainers were sold on Trade Me in 2009. I have since found that they very soon after came to Classic Flyers. There is a note on one file stating Flight Recorder" S/No R27211.
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Post by kevsmith on Sept 12, 2022 22:50:41 GMT 12
When I was with SafeAir (May 1966-Oct 1968) we used to be sent to the NAC Link Trainer at Wellington Airport for instrument ground training before and after gaining an instrument rating. I can't remember exactly where it was but it was in the old Terminal Building in the NAC office area and probably upstairs. I assume it was ex RNZAF and appeared to work quite well. The main thing I remember about it was that we dreaded going there as we didn't learn much from an "instructor" who did nothing but yell at us. I think he was ex wartime RNZAF. Despite that, I must have learnt something but we learnt more from our check Captains. The first time I was sent there was 1st June 1966 and the last was 13 Dec 1967. Looking back, it seems that we were sent there at random times. Starting in June 1966 for a number of times just prior to Instrument rating flight test then not again until April 67, then Oct 67 then the last time Dec 67 so there was not a lot of logic in spreading out the training. Subsequently and like "yak2" I also used the RVAC Link trainer at Moorabbin in 1969, and also one that Schutt Flying School had about the same time when completing a Class One Instrument rating for my Australian Licence. Memories!
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Post by davidd on Sept 13, 2022 11:50:21 GMT 12
A few notes extracted from ORB of Air Department early in WW2 re the shipments, etc., of Link Trainers to New Zealand, which have some interesting, accompanying comments.
Week Ending 21/10/40: "Advice received that early delivery will be made of the Link Trainers on order from Canada."
W/E 28/10/40: "Visual Link Trainers": During the week an Order was placed for six Visual Link Trainers, and the offer of the Air Ministry to supply a qualified instructor, under the Empire Air Scheme, was accepted."
W/E 3/3/41: "Supply : Link Trainers: Advice has been received that a further five are ready for shipment direct from Canada."
W/E 17/6/41: "Supply : Link Trainers. Two of those on order have now arrived and have been distributed."
W/E 8/9/41: "Supply : Link Trainers. A further eight Link Trainers have arrived. This now makes a total of 35 Trainers received and distributed, leaving a balance of 3 to arrive."
W/E 12/11/41 : "Supply : Link Trainer spares. The maintenance of Link Trainers is becoming increasingly difficult owing to lack of spares. A small range has recently arrived, but our bulk requisition for complete spares for 39 Link Trainers has not yet been met."
W/E 23/12/41 : Supply : Link Trainers. Two further Link Trainers have arrived, making a total of 40 Trainers received in this country."
This completes all the information relating to Link Trainers in this particular source. Needless to say, there must be a lot more information contained in other Air Department files, such as supply, allocation, disposal, policy, technical data, modifications, training of instructors, etc.
It is apparent that the original policy (1939/1940) regarding the appointment of personnel to be trained as instructors for Link Trainers concentrated on utilising all current and qualified flying instructors (who happened to be all commissioned in GD Branch). However, by about 1942 these arrangements had been well and truly abandoned, and by this time all qualified LTI's (Link Trainer Instructors) were obtained from the ranks of ordinary airmen of lowly rank, many of whom had commenced their RNZAF service as volunteer aircrew (pilot) and had undertaken flying training courses, but for various reasons had been terminated from these courses, and re-trained as LTIs, usually of NCO ranks. However, a few of the former commissioned LTI's were retained as Officers-in-Charge of the Link Training Sections on the various stations which operated these "aircraft". Another trade also had to be created, utilising volunteers from other trades who wished to graduate to something a little different, and duly specialised in Link Trainer maintenance, after completing a special course. All this training of instructors and specialised maintenance personnel was eventually centralised at the Central Link Trainer School, which was located at Wigram. At least one NCO LTI was actually a terminated RNZAF aircrew trainee repatriated from Canada, have an idea he actually completed his LTI cse in Canada.
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timl
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 2
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Post by timl on Dec 9, 2022 17:23:26 GMT 12
Not sure if this is of any use, but there is a very good article about Link Trainers in The Aeriplane magazine July 2020 issue number567, volume 48, number7.
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Post by camtech on Dec 9, 2022 20:41:04 GMT 12
Be interested to get a copy of that article.
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timl
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 2
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Post by timl on Dec 9, 2022 21:03:18 GMT 12
Camtech, If you DM your email address I’ll send you photographs of the article.
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