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Aviation History
1938
1938 - 2084.PDF
Naval officers have to know something about navigation as part of their profession, though they are not all specialists even for marine navigation, and aerial navigation requires somewhat different methods. It is possible that it may be arranged in the future for all Naval pilots to go to Ford for a course in navigation. For the rest, the ground in struction is on the same lines as at other F.T. Schools, and for instrument flying much use is made of the useful Link trainer. At the time of Flight's visit to Leuchars, the pupils con sisted of thirteen Naval officers, three Royal Marines officers, six Army officers, and twenty Naval ratings. This was the first batch of ratings who had been chosen by the Admiralty for training as pilots. It had been popularly expected that the rating pilots would be petty-officers, but actually none of them yet holds that rank. The Navy wants to train its pilots young, and most petty-officers are / FLIGHT. JULY 21, 1938. Instruction in navigation in a classroom being given to Naval ratings. above the age limit. These twenty came from v arious branches of the Navy. Three were leading seamen, two were air gunners, and one was a writer. All were granted the rank of act ing leading seaman (if not already substantive in that rank) while under training at the school. Most of them had never been in the air before or had known anything about flying, but all were intensely enthusiastic. The batch came into residence on May 9, and in a fortnight nine of them had been judged fit to make their first solo. The instructors considered them a promising lot, and when they leave the school they should be a good advertisement for the Fleet Air Arm. After the move to Netheravon, No. 1 F.T.S. will cease to put its pupils through " A " period. This will be done at civil flying schools. The Naval officers and Marines officers will be put through the elementary course at Sywell, and the ratings will be taught at Rochester. The latter will live in Chatham Barracks during that preliminary period. Perhaps extended arrangements will have to be made when the expansion of the F.A.A. really gets under way, as there will be direct-entry short-service Naval officers to be trained, in addition to the normal Service entry. It will be very interesting to watch the future develop ment of the Fleet Air Arm. Flight's only regret is that such future observation will not entail more visits to the charm ing station of Leuchars. )|&£M' Is."' r*rr V 4 **• 1 f i ... The first batch of Naval ratings sent by the Admiralty to No. 1 F.T.S. for training as pilots of the Fleet Air Arm. They are here seen grouped in front of a tutor, receiving instruction from a sergeant pilot of the R.A.F. When No. 1 F.T.S. moves from Leuchars to Netheravon all rating pilots will receive their elementary flying training at the Civil School at Rochester, before going to No. 1 F.T.S. for further instruction. > ,.%' ;.v-
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