Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 190, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 August 1918 — ENGLISH TRAIN YANK AVIATORS [ARTICLE]

ENGLISH TRAIN YANK AVIATORS

Finishing Touches Are Given in an Airdrome in Quiet Coun- T try Spot. > ■* v V ■ FIRST SOLO FLIGHTS THRILL - 1 Fledgling Flyers Go Up Alone Only • After Course With Instructor — First Flight Is Closely Watched. t , An American Airdrome In Englands —This is one of the numerous aviation camps tn’ England where Americans are receiving their finishing, touches is »When they leave here for the battle front in French they know all that can be taught aboht dying. OnlyXhe school of experience can supply the post-graduate course that makes Guynemers and J.ufherys. The,airdrome Is set in one of those beautiful spots that one calls to mind from classic pictureftof English landscapes. It is .early in June and "the great level field that stretches away in front of the hangars is like a rich green carpet. Beyond there is a woodland, and in the distance is a range of low hills whose smooth contour recalls t<» Western Americans the foothills of California. It is a peaceful place and very q|tet except foe of alrplahesl At least a dozen are in the air and ; there are preparing for flight. Into ne latter a <oung Kentuckian has Just ciiAbed. • For the first time he Is going up alone. J - A*- .Passes Art First Tests. j For weeks the British instructor hatr' been*with him constantly and he has ipassed successfully * the major tests. He (tin ftMstrnight, the Instructor sitting beside him has made sure, and be can work the controls without fear or “nerves.” Ho knows how to stall, to glide and to climb, And he has learned a good deal, too, about the important art of landing. ♦ ? On one memorable occasion the Instructor has shouted to him abo vet he roaring at the engine: “Shall we loop?!? and they did. But of course, the instructor has befen |the real pilot, explaining maneuvers, jencouraging the young man to secure an ! accurate touch, and to become, an ha must If he is to be successful,,,so perfect a master of the machine that hq ; can make it ,fly of Itself. The fact that it is his first flight is known at the airdrome and nfcny eyes are watching to see him off.” I Gives Final Instructions. With h tremendous sputtering the engine etarts. The instructor, standing on the step of the fuselage, hffidri: to his cap against the hurricane raised by the propellers and shouts his directions. He points to the instruments, shows what the engine revqiu-, ttons should be, feel? the controls. And bids the new “soloist" good cheer.

„ .What the fledgling flyer’s feelings are only those who have flown alone know. He is dropping the pilot and embarking on the great’adventure. On a first flight alone the’pupil’s performance is carefully watched for any faults. Usually he, is given a definite piece of maneuvering to carry out. A pupil ”is nevqr sent into the air merely to fly about for a fixed time. Afterwards he will have, more “dual” with his .instructor and much of the old teachings will be repeated and emphasized. At this point perhaps the real, understanding between instructor kind pupil becomes manifest. Understanding and sympathy are important, factors in aerial instruction.