'The pupil starts with a course of dual instruction, In the passenger's seat of the machine are fitted control stick, rudder bar, engine throttle, and' instruments ex actly as in the pilot's seat. These are connected up with the pilot's corresponding controls.
Between pupil and instructor there is a speaking tube, and through this the pupil is told to put her hand on the stick and her feet on the rudder bar. Then, as the stick and the rudder bar are synchronized with those of—the pilot, she goes through the same movements as he does and is thus automatically instructed.
After a time the pupil is told to take over control, and she will be thrilled when she sees the instructor put both his hands above his head fas an indication that he has handed over the entire direction of the machine to her.
Pupils are never rushed through their flying course nowadays. 'They fare frequently given eight hours' instruction (as against the two hours or so given to pilots trained during the war). Then one day, after making several landings quite unassisted but with the instructor in his place, ready to correct any serious mistake, the pupil is told. that she is ready to go solo.
The instructor then gets out of the machine and the pupil prepares for what will always remain one of the great moments in her flying experience.
She opens the engine throttle and holds the control stick forward.
replane gathers way and the Gradually she cases the control stick back, the under-carriage wheels give a parting bump, and the machine is in the air.
Gliding Dowa, The new fledged pilot flies fectly straight until she has gained height, and then makes a gentle turn. "Confidence begins to come, and she looks about—at the shed at the othe machines in the aerodrome below, at a train puffing laboriously in the distance. She is alone, triumphant and clated.
Next she makes a few turns and then decides to land. She throttles down the engine and simultaneously allows the nose of the plane to drop until it takes up a gentle glide ing angle. The air speed indicator shows 65 miles per hour, a safe gliding speed for the type of machine in use.
A few gentle "S" turns bring the machine facing into wind 500ft. up aver the learard side of the nero-
The ground comes closer and closer, the stick back slightly and to cause the machine of flatten out. She continues the movement until the machine poises itself, wheels and tail skid together upon the grass, runs a few yards, and stops with the "prop" (or airscrew) ticking over.
'A dozen solo flights give sufficient confidence to obliterate uneasiness with most pupils, although over confidence is a more serious fault. in the person who is [earning to fly than lack of confidence.
And when once she has become a proficient pilot a woman can extract endless amusement from flying.—atason oLiver sTrWwAaRT.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.