THE TEST FLIGHTS
The sport of aviation is controlled throughout the world, and flying
tests and events of a competitive character are governed, by the
International Aeronautical Federation. To the deliberations of this
central authority are sent delegates from the Aero Clubs of various
countries; and to these Aero Clubs, each in its respective country,
falls the task of governing flight, according to the rules and
decisions of the central authority. In Britain, controlling aviation
in the same way that the Jockey Club controls the Turf, we have the
Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom; and it is this body, acting in
its official capacity, which grants to each new aviator, after he has
passed certain prescribed tests, a certificate which proclaims him a
pilot of proved capacity, and without which it is impossible for him
to take part in any contests held under the auspices of the Club. The
certificate, which is of a convenient size for carrying in the pocket,
contains a photograph of the pilot for purposes of identification, and
specifies also the rules under which the certificate is issued and
held.
The theory of these tests, as imposed by the Club before it grants its
certificates, is that the novice should--so far as is possible in one
or two flights, made over a restricted area, and in a limited space of
time--be called on to show that he has a full control over a machine
in what may be called the normal conditions of flight. He is asked to
ascend, for instance, and gain a fair flying altitude; then to make
such evolutions as will demonstrate his command over the control
surfaces of the machine; and finally to show that he can, with his
motor switched off, descend accurately in a vol-plane, and bring his
machine to a halt within a specified distance of a mark. The tests are
set forth, officially, as follows:--
_A and B._ Two distance flights, consisting of at least 5 kilometres
(3 miles 185 yards) each in a closed circuit, without touching the
ground; the distance to be measured as described below.
_C._ One altitude flight, during which a height of at least 100 metres
(328 feet) above the point of departure must be attained; the descent
to be made from that height with the motor cut off. The landing must
be made in view of the observers, without re-starting the motor.
The rules drafted by the Club to govern these flights
are set forth herewith:--
The candidate must be alone in the aircraft during the tests.
The course on which the aviator accomplishes tests A and B must be
marked out by two posts situated not more than 500 metres (547 yards)
apart.
The turns round the posts must be made alternately to the right and to
the left, so that the flights will consist of an uninterrupted series
of figures of eight.
The distance flown will be reckoned as if in a straight line between
the two posts.
The alighting after the two distance flights in tests A and B shall be
made:--
(_a_) By stopping the motor at or before the moment of touching the
ground.
(_b_) By bringing the aircraft to rest not more than 50 metres
(164 feet) from a point indicated previously to the candidate.
All alightings must be made in a normal manner, and the observers must
report any irregularity.
These flights as specified to-day, though they present no difficulty
to the pupil who has been well trained, are more stringent than they
were in the first scheme of tests as prescribed by the Club, and as
enforced for several years. In those early rules the distances were
the same as they are to-day, but in the altitude flight the height
required was only 50 metres (164 feet)--just half the height specified
to-day. It was not laid down, either, in the first rules, that the
engine should be stopped in this altitude flight when at the maximum
height, and that the descent should be made in a complete vol-plane,
without once re-starting the motor. As originally framed, indeed, the
rule as to the control of the engine in this altitude test was the
same as in regard to the distance flights--_i.e._, that it should be
stopped "at or before the moment of touching the ground." What the
present rule means, in this respect, is that the pupil must be really
proficient at making a vol-plane, without any aid at all from his
engine, before he can hope to pass the test; and such a proved
skill--say in the making of his first cross-country flight, should his
engine fail suddenly--may spell the difference between a safe or a
dangerous landing.
The test flights for the certificate, undertaken only in such weather
conditions as the pupil's instructor may think suitable, are watched
by official observers appointed by the Royal Aero Club. It is the
business of these observers, when the prescribed flights have been
made, to send in a written report concerning them to the Club; and
acting on this report, after it has been considered and shown to be in
order, the Club issues to the pupil his numbered certificate. With the
successful passing of his tests the pupil's tuition is at an end. He
is regarded no longer as a novice, but as a qualified pilot.