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New Zealand Flying School
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New Zealand Flying School
The New Zealand Flying School was formed in 1915, by the Walsh Brothers, Leo and Vivian Walsh, to train pilots for the Royal Flying Corps. The school was also known as the Kohimarama Flying School. The school built, imported and flew flying boats from Mission Bay. 110 pilots trained in the school served in World War I, including notable pilot Keith Caldwell, one of the original three pupils.
The New Zealand Flying School was the first private flying school in the British Empire which trained pilots for military service.
The flying school was sold to the New Zealand Government in 1924 after struggling to survive after the end of the war. The school trained over 1000 pilots by the time the Walsh brothers sold it.
The Walsh brothers wanted to start a flying school when WW1 broke out to train New Zealand pilots for service. The New Zealand Government refused their request for help, and the brothers instead asked the British Government whether New Zealand trained pilots would be accepted into the Royal Flying Corps. The British Government confirmed that candidates who qualified for the Royal Aero Club's certificate in New Zealand would be accepted in the RFC, requesting that the brothers send candidates immediately.
The flying school first began operating from a shed in Ōrākei, taking the first three pupils on 2 October 1915. At first, Vivian was the only flying instructor. On 28 November 1915, the school moved to the five (and later seven) acres at the western end of Mission Bay, then called Kohimarama Bay. In the same month the school gained its second airplane. It leased buildings from the Melanesian Mission including a kitchen, which it turned into a dining room, and operated here until 1924 when the school was sold to the New Zealand Government.
Leo Walsh was managing Director, Vivian Walsh chief pilot and superintendent, R. A. Dexter was director and Austin Walsh was secretary. Walsh sisters Doreen and Veronica were also involved in the running of the school.
The school also employed engineers and mechanics, and ex-students as flying instructors.
The school was able to expand considerably in 1916, and built hangars by the beach for launching flying boats. The Walsh brothers and their sisters lived in the 'captain's house' at the eastern end of the bay, and students lived in tents and later wooden huts.
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New Zealand Flying School
The New Zealand Flying School was formed in 1915, by the Walsh Brothers, Leo and Vivian Walsh, to train pilots for the Royal Flying Corps. The school was also known as the Kohimarama Flying School. The school built, imported and flew flying boats from Mission Bay. 110 pilots trained in the school served in World War I, including notable pilot Keith Caldwell, one of the original three pupils.
The New Zealand Flying School was the first private flying school in the British Empire which trained pilots for military service.
The flying school was sold to the New Zealand Government in 1924 after struggling to survive after the end of the war. The school trained over 1000 pilots by the time the Walsh brothers sold it.
The Walsh brothers wanted to start a flying school when WW1 broke out to train New Zealand pilots for service. The New Zealand Government refused their request for help, and the brothers instead asked the British Government whether New Zealand trained pilots would be accepted into the Royal Flying Corps. The British Government confirmed that candidates who qualified for the Royal Aero Club's certificate in New Zealand would be accepted in the RFC, requesting that the brothers send candidates immediately.
The flying school first began operating from a shed in Ōrākei, taking the first three pupils on 2 October 1915. At first, Vivian was the only flying instructor. On 28 November 1915, the school moved to the five (and later seven) acres at the western end of Mission Bay, then called Kohimarama Bay. In the same month the school gained its second airplane. It leased buildings from the Melanesian Mission including a kitchen, which it turned into a dining room, and operated here until 1924 when the school was sold to the New Zealand Government.
Leo Walsh was managing Director, Vivian Walsh chief pilot and superintendent, R. A. Dexter was director and Austin Walsh was secretary. Walsh sisters Doreen and Veronica were also involved in the running of the school.
The school also employed engineers and mechanics, and ex-students as flying instructors.
The school was able to expand considerably in 1916, and built hangars by the beach for launching flying boats. The Walsh brothers and their sisters lived in the 'captain's house' at the eastern end of the bay, and students lived in tents and later wooden huts.
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