The work of a test pilot requires skill, technical ability and courage of a high order, but, thanks to the advance in design and the care taken in the early stages of production. very rarely is there a fatal accident duríng a test flight.
In Britain today everything is done on a scientific basis and before a machine leaves the ground its probable capabilities and air-worthiness are known. So careful and thorough has been the ch work that there is no groping about in the dark and no flying of an experimental model which is not likely to behave as its designer intended. With few exceptions it is known how a machine will act when in the air.
In fact, there are no test pilots as such in the Royal Air Force.
There are experimental establish ments for both land and marine air craft and to these ordinary Service flying officers are posted for duty.
In picture (1) the test pilot has just arrived at the flying ground and is looking over the huge machine he i: about to test. It is a great respon: bility to handle for the first time machine which has cost some thou sands of pounds to build et Particularly Dangerous"
In the Service trials the general suitability of the plane is considered; armament and engine tests are made and each machine is given a period of intensive flying in which its stability is put to every possible stress or strain. Contrary to public opinion, this initial flying is not regarded b the pilots or their mechanicsjas parti cularly dangerous.
Picture (2) shows a test pil ing his machine by means underneath the cockpit. He wi kit and has a note pad strapr knee ready for anything he to record during the flight.
The tests are very string and once the aircraft suggest uily passed them, a pile owsifhat the "plane he is flying is as pgMect as human skill and care can produce It is this, quite apart from the ability of the pilots themselves, which gives British airmen that confidence in their machines which is such a vital matter in modern air warfare.
Test piloting in wartime. would be dangerous but for the elaborate system of signalling by Verey lights De Min ry and any defects which may to the ground and defence units. In|have been discovered are carefully picture (3) a pilot is seen choosing investig: All necessary modifica the appropriate Verey lights before tions ions in design are in taking up the machine corporated before the aircraft is Before the machines are t finally put into production. every detail of equipment In picture (4) a member of the test armament gear, radio apparatus, etc... pilot's crew is shown making observa-has been thoroughly tested to ascer tain their suitability for active tions with delicate instruments. He is flying at 20,000 feet and has to wear vice conditions. oxygen gear
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.