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Aviation History
1932
1932 - 0732.PDF
FLIGHT, JULY 22, 1932 OXFORD UNIVERSITY AIR SQUADRON FOR the second year in succession, the Oxford University Air Squadron has gone into camp at Eastchurch Aerodrome for its annual attach ment. This year has seen one considerable change, namely, the substitution of the Armstrong-Whitworth " Atlas " for the Bristol Fighter as an advanced training two-seater machine. The strength of tht squadron remains the same as before, namely, 75 members, and the waiting list is always a long one. The annual report for the year 1930-31 makes very interesting reading. Before the end of the year's training 72 members of the squadron flew solo, and 33 took Pro ficiency Certificates issued by the Air Ministry. Sixty-nine members completed over three hours' solo flying, of whom 30 had only flown solo for the first time two or three days before. During the year the total number of solo flying hours amounted to 1,108. Cross-country flying is on the increase. Members of the squadron visited most of the nearer aerodromes in the southern and eastern counties while the more experienced of them flew further afield into Gloucestershire, Norfolk and Cheshire. There was no instance of anyone losing his way. Only one forced landing took place, when the pilot landed his machine skilfully in a meadow in Suffolk without any damage. During the year those members who had sufficient experi ence were taught to fly in formation. Group Capt. Roderic Members of Oxford University Air Squadron studying a map. (FLIGHT Photo.) Hill, the Chief Instructor, remarks in the report, " The value of this form of flying lies in its power of training the pilot to handle his aeroplane with confidence and pre cision. Before he has learnt to fly in formation, a pilot is like a car driver who has never driven in traffic. Train ing in formation flying develops an appreciation of relative speeds ; it enforces flying discipline, consideration for others, and team work in the air. Not least, it gives members a vision of their squadron in the air ; and, judging from my own experience, the pilot is indeed A formation of Armstrong-Whitworth " Atlas " machines of O.U.A.S. flying along the coast of the Isle of Sheppey. (FLIGHT Photo.) 684
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