§ Mr. Rankinasked the President of the Board of Trade what changes he plans to make in the arrangements for the testing of flying instructors, which has hitherto been undertaken by the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuThe introduction of the requirement that pilots who trainab initio for the commercial pilot's licence shall attend approved courses at flying training schools has resulted in flying instruction becoming divided into two distinct categories, one for training commercial pilots and the other for training private pilots. Since the Board exercise a direct and continuous control over the standard and conduct of the flying training on the approved courses, it is desirable in the interests of standardised training that the Board should extend their control and supervision to include the flying instructors themselves.
The Guild recognised this need, and, after consultations with the Board, agreed that with effect from 1st October, 1967, the Board should themselves undertake responsibility for testing flying instructors of commercial pilots.
316WAs regards the instruction of private pilots, arrangements are being made with the British Light Aviation Centre to undertake this testing as from the same date, and I am grateful to them for taking this on.
I should like to take this opportunity of thanking the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators and its Panel of honorary examiners for facilitating the introduction of the new arrangements, and to express my appreciation of the service which they have performed for 36 years to airline, commercial and private flying under successive Ministers.