It is with considerable diffidence that I find myself about to address you to-night upon the subject of the Paper, which is “The Training of Aircraft Apprentices.” I say with considerable diffidence, firstly; because I realise how very important to the future of aeronautical practice is this question of the preliminary training of mechanics, and secondly, because my own practical experience of this subject is limited to a few years.

I hope that some of those who will take part in the discussion, after the reading of the Paper, will correct any mis-statements I may make in connection with civilian apprentices and will be able to put before you such problems as, are peculiar to that side.