Mexborough & Swinton Times, September 16, 1932

Wombwellite on the Wing

Up with Swiss on the Perch club

An Apt pupil.

Can you imagine the sensation that comes to an airman when he leaves the ground for the first time? Of the two airmen shown in this picture one has just had that experience.

The airmen are Mr. Eric Arthur Swiss (right), son of Mr. Henry A. Swiss, of Menniott, Somerset, for many years headmaster of the National School at Brampton Bierlow; and Mr. Joe Wilson (left) , son of Mrs. Wilson, of High Street, Wombwell, and the late Mr. F. C. Wilson. Mr. Swiss is the instructor. Mr. Wilson the pupil. Mr. Wilson is probably the only man in Wombwell who has flown solo.

Mr. Wilson has taken a great interest in aviation as a pastime, and is a member of the Danum Aero Club, Doncaster. He had his practice flying with Mr. Swiss at the Doncaster aerodrome at Armthorpe.

Explaining the circumstances under which he gained his “wings,” Mr. Wilson said he had been flying around with Mr. Swiss for twenty minutes, when they alighted at the far end of the living field for a rest and a smoke. When Mr. Swiss remarked quite casually, “You can take off when you are ready,” he looked round dubiously, but realised that his instructor was quite serious. Accordingly he jumped straight into the cockpit and made ready to go. “I was quite confident of my ability to fly alone,” said Mr. Wilson, “but it was a quite unexpected experience. I confess I had a bit of a sensation when the wheels left the ground, but I had no fear that I should get up all right. My chief concern was about getting back again. It is one thing to go up, but quite another matter to come down.” Mr. Wilson remarked modestly that there was very little danger in practice flying under proper supervision. Ile said. “It is very seldom you hear of anyone crashing on their first flight. The accidents usually occur when they get overconfident and start stunting.”

Prior to flying alone. Mr. Wilson had only 8 hours’ practice with a pilot in a de Haviland Moth dual-control machine. On his first solo flight he remained in the air for absut twenty minutes, but on Monday evening of this week he was aloft for over an hour. His landing was skilful and spectacular. His ambition is to possess a machine of his own.

Mr. Wilson is an officer of the Wombwell Company of the Church Lads’ Brigade, and is well known in the district for his interest in motoring and similar pursuits. Mr. Swiss has served in the Air Force on the aircraft carrier “Furious” in the Mediterranean. He is a member of the “Perch Club,” consisting of aviators who have made hundred landings on the abip without falling into the sea. That unenviable experience occurred to him on his 107th landing.

His “Perch Club” badge consists of a fish ‘with the punning device, “Per Chance.”