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Aviation History
1919
1919 - 1622.PDF
In view, however, of the feet that the short service list has been filled by officers who have already been trained as pilots during the War, it is only proposed to form two of these on a reduced basis during the next financial year to deal with the training of University candidates, a small number of reserve officers and of certain officers granted permanent commissions, with the proviso that they must learn to fly within 12 months. In view of the exceptional facilities for training in Egypt, it is proposed to locate, at least, one of the training wings, together with branch schools of gunnery and air pilotage in that country, but whether it will be con venient to do so next year cannot yet be definitely foreseen. One other most important school in connection with the training of the officer is essential, and it will probably be neces sary to start it on a small scale in 1920. This is a school for flying instructors. The first school of this kind was started during the WTar at Gosport, and it is hardly too much to say that it revolutionised the art of flying. The science of flight was carefully analysed and the analysis practically applied to the problem of tuition with remarkable results. It is essential in future that all instructors in training wings and all officers of or above the rank of flight commander in service squadrons should have passed through this course. A liberal amount of dual control with a qualified instructor is one of the chief safeguards against the faulty flying which is the cause of the majority of accidents. Although it is not proposed to open it during the next financial year, an Air Force Staff College must be formed as soon as possible. It is intended to establish this at Halton in the house of the late Mr. Alfred Rothschild, purchased by the Government at his death with the whole estate. The house and its surroundings are eminently suited for the purpose, and there is an aerodrome within a quarter of a mile. 7. Training of men.—The most difficult problem of all in the formation of this force is the training of the men. Demobilisa tion has removed most of our best mechanics, and the effi ciency of the squadrons to be formed depends on the most thorough instruction of those who are to take their place. It has, therefore, been decided to enlist the bulk of those belonging to long apprenticeship trades as boys, who will undergo a course of three years' training before being passed into the ranks. With a preliminary training of the nature contemplated and the practice of their trade during their subsequent service, it is confidently anticipated that these mechanics on passing to civil life will have no difficulty in securing recognition as skilled tradesmen. This is an important consideration, since any tendency for the Air Force to be regarded as a blind alley occupation would be fatal. The training of all these boys will eventually be carried out at Halton Park, where ample and well-equipped technical shops are already in existence. Pending the erection of permanent barracks to replace wooden war-time huts, use will also be made of Cranwell, in Lincolnshire. It has been necessary to speed up the training of some 5,000 boys enlisted during, and shortly after, the war, and the residue of these, some 3,000, will complete their training, at Halton. A scheme has been drawn out for the future enlistment of boys by means of a competitive examination, and local education authorities have been circularised with a view to their nomina ting suitable boys to sit for the examination. By this means it is hoped to secure a really high standard. The first entry under this scheme will take place early in 1920, and the boys will commence their training at Cranwell and will be moved to Halton as soon as the permanent accommodation is ready. The boys, on successfully passing their final examination, will be graded as leading aircraftsmen, and a certain number will be specially selected for a further course of training, at the end of which they will either be granted commissions, or promoted to corporal. Those granted commissions will join the cadet college. It is intended to enlist the remainder of the mechanics, of whom more than half will belong to short apprenticeship trades as men, and these will undergo 12 months training at Cranwell as soon as the boys have moved to Halton. Pending the move, it is proposed to carry out the training of these men at Eastchurch, which, as has already been said, will not be required in its eventual capacity as a gunnery school for another 12 months at least. Non-technical men will be given a short course of recruit training at the depot at Uxbridge. 8. Higher organisation at home.—As regards higher organisa tion in the United Kingdom, all units working with the Navy have lately been formed into one command, known as the Coastal Area Royal Air Force. The two remaining com mands, now known as the Southern and Northern Areas, will, early in 1920, be amalgamated into one command to be known as the Inland Area. This cannot be done earlier owing to the very large amount of work entailed in closing up surplus stations, demobilising surplus personnel and generally clearing up the after-effects of the War. 9. Depdts.—Each of the two Areas in the United Kingdom will have its repair depot at Henlow for the Inland Area ; and at Donnibristle, near Rosyth, for the Coastal Area. During the next financial year it will be necessary to retain three of the existing stores depots, but it may prove possible at a later date to reduce the number to two, though this is by- no means certain. It is hoped that eventually arrangements will be made for all Royal Air Force mechanical transport to be repaired at Slough, but in view of the arrears of work it will be necessary to retain for the present our own repair depot at Shrewsbury. Each overseas theatre will have a combined repair and store depot of a size suitable to the number of squadrons based upon it. to. Necessity for large capital outlay on accommodation.— From the above outline of our proposals it will be seen that every endeavour is being made to reduce expenditure on personnel during 1920-21 to the minimum absolutely essential to create the framework of our future Air Force. This is necessary, if for no other reason, owing to the peculiar position in which the Royal Air Force is placed as regards permanent accommodation. Though some of the wartime buildings can be made to serve for a year or two in their present state, the Air Force does not possess one single permanent barracks, and a large capital outlay on the provision of new buildings and the adaptation of the most suitable of the temporary buildings is inevitable during the first few years. This will be balanced to a certain extent during the next two years by the small requirements in technical equipments due to the large stock remaining over from the War. The principle followed has therefore been to exercise rigid economy at the outset over personnel and technical equipment in order to free as large a part as possible of the total sum provided towards the provision of barracks. As time goes on, the building services will absorb less, while the cost of technical equipment, and, to a lesser extent, of personnel, will increase, until eventually the works vote will be little in excess of the cost of maintenance. It must be recognised, however, that the total cost of building will be large. The boys' barracks at Halton, for instance, with the necessary accessory buildings and the cadet college will no doubt be a heavy item. These are un doubtedly the two most expensive services, but the accom modation for personnel at the majority of our stations will have to be rebuilt or adapted at considerable cost. The outlay must, however, be faced, and it is undoubtedly' wise to under take the bulk of the work in the first few years, while the expense of other services can be kept down. 11. Research.—One matter of supreme importance has not yet been mentioned, namely, the provision to be made for research. The departments of Supply and Research are now being transferred from the Ministry of Munitions to the Air Ministry, and a portion of the experimental establishments are a charge on the Air Force votes. Steady and uninterrupted progress in research is vital to the efficiency of the Air Force, and to the development of aviation generally, and on it depends both the elimination of accidents and the retention of the leading position we have established at such heavy cost during the War. The existing establishments must therefore be retained during the ensuing financial year at a sufficient strength to ensure that urgent work shall continue. Some of the work which was urgent under war conditions can, however, now be postponed until progress with the building programme liberates more money for other purposes. The principal aeroplane-research establishments are at Farn- borough, Biggin Hill, Martlesham Heath and Grain, while airships' research will be undertaken at Cardington and Howden. 12. Civil aviation.—No allusion has been made to civil aviation in this paper, which has been confined to the Service aspect of the question. H. M. TRENCHARD, Chief of the Air Staff. AIR MINISTRY, 25/A November, 1919. ^
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