Walsh becomes first NZer to obtain pilot's certificate

Following the establishment in October 1915 of the New Zealand Flying School at Ōrākei on Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour, Vivian Walsh became the first New Zealander to obtain an aviator’s certificate in New Zealand. Most of the 100 pilots trained by Walsh and his brother Austin Leonard (‘Leo’) Walsh at the School saw combat with the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) or Royal Air Force during the First World War.

These pioneering aviators built their first aircraft, a British-designed Howard Wright biplane, from imported plans. Vivian Walsh achieved New Zealand’s first controlled, powered flight in early February 1911. He flew the Manurewa more than 350 m at a height of 20 m before a small group of spectators at Glencora Park in Papakura, south of Auckland.

Following the outbreak of the First World War many would-be pilots wrote to the Defence Department asking how they could qualify to join the RFC. The Walsh brothers also received enquiries and – eager to set up a training school – persuaded the government to approach the British authorities. The RFC needed as many candidates as could be trained. It agreed to cable an aviator’s certificate to each trained pilot, provided the qualifying flight had been witnessed by official military observers.

The New Zealand Flying School opened for business in October 1915. Each student paid £100 (equivalent to $13,700 in 2015) for an engineering course and flying lessons. Upon graduating, they were sub-lieutenants qualified for active service. The British government rebated graduates £75 ($9700). The first pilot’s certificate was issued to Vivian Walsh on 13 July 1916.

Meanwhile, Henry Wigram established the Canterbury (NZ) Aviation Company at Sockburn (later Wigram) air base, near Christchurch. By 1919 the two schools had between them produced nearly 300 qualified pilots.

Image: the Manurewa (Te Ara)