Air League Looking For Growth

Initially, the ‘club’ was named the ‘Air Minded Development League’, but such a mouthful had to be shortened, and in March 1934, the ‘Australian Air League’ was selected to identify the fledgling organisation.

The first squadron was formed at Manly, NSW, in November 1934, and soon, other squadrons started up throughout NSW, while groups also evolved in neighbouring States. Victoria’s first squadron was introduced at Box Hill in 1939 while girls were admitted in 1944 with a special section being formed for them. The Australian Air League has nowadays become such a respected youth development organisation that from the very early stages, Governor Generals of our nation have become patrons.

Any person over the age of nine years can become a member. The League is divided into Junior, Cadet and Senior Sections, depending on the ages of the members. Seniors are those members who are sixteen year of age, or older.

The Australian Air League is a disciplined uniformed body and because of the smart appearance of Air League members in uniform, they are constantly mistaken for Air Force personnel. Uniforms are available at nominal charge and other costs involve enrolment, membership and annual subscription. The League has a latin motto, ‘A Vinculo Terrae’, which translates to ‘free from the bonds of the earth’. The Australian Air League is financially self supporting and continues to exist to provide young Australians instruction in a wide range of aeronautical subjects, all this culminating in actual flying training and qualification.

Flying training is conducted in NSW at Camden Airport, by the NSW Air Wing of the organisation. Training is supervised by CFI, Roy Judd, who just happens to also be a Qantas Captain. After my initial brief look at the NSW Air Wing on that balmy Sunday, I returned for a full length tour and was amazed to find many of the personnel devoting their leisure time were from Qantas or the Royal Australian Air Force.

The Air League’s Air Wing has a wealth of engineering expertise with Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineers part of the organisation. This has enabled them to overhaul and major their own aircraft, without the costly need to have it done by outside commercial organisations. Several aircraft, including Grumman and Cessna aeroplanes are owned by the League and are kept in immaculate condition.

Flying training is also at the cheapest rates in town with the standard of instruction being extremely high. The Australian Air League can boast that their flying training is equal to or better than training found elsewhere. At the present time, there are quite a few very young pilot trainees. After gaining licences, several trainees have progressed to Instructor ratings, with some of the Senior Instructors as young as twenty-two. Youthful they may be, but they do not lack flying experience. These young people are very experienced aviators, highly qualified and very eager to impart the knowledge of flying they have to others starting out.

Air League members at squadrons can attend lectures concerning aircraft structure, aircraft types, the theory of flight, aero engines, navigation, meteorology, radio, astronomy, aircraft modelling and first aid. Lifesaving, physical training and drill is also taught to Air League members. Originally, the aim of the League was entirely peaceful, but during theSecond World War, the organisation was placed at the disposal of the Government. The Government in turn expressed its appreciation and has made use of cadets in various ways since that time. The knowledge, discipline, physical training and sense of responsibility instilled by the League in its cadets prepares them for later life and for some is the motivational stimulus towards selecting an aviation career.

My good friend, the late Flying Officer Bill Pike, navigator of the F-111 which tragically crashed at Tenterfield, NSW, was an Air League cadet, and very proud of it. It had helped him formulate his career in the Royal Australian Air Force and assisted to shape him into the fine young man and flier that he was.

Many others now working in aviation are also products of the Australian Air League. Pilots, Air Traffic Controllers, engineers, operational personnel.

In NSW, membership exceeds one thousand, but Victoria particularly is suffering due to a lack of Officers. An appeal is made through this article for parents or others who can become Air League Instructors in the many subjects that are taught to the kids. One evening a week to help the youth of your country. It’s not much to ask!

Course material I have looked over includes detailed notes on Meteorology, the Theory of Flight, and even Space Flight. All I can say is that the instructional notes are excellent.

The Australian Air League should be supported wholeheartedly, as it is fostering a spirit of aviation in the youth of Australia, promoting good citizenship and also developing the ingenuity, resourcefulness and physical and mental abilities of its members.