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Aviation History
1938
1938 - 2315.PDF
AUGUST 18, 1938. FLIGHT. 137 " Flight " photograph. FIGHTER CAMOUFLAGE. The Supermarine Spitfire (Rolls-Royce Merlin engine) is quite difficult to see against the ground. Now being produced in quantities for the R.A.F., the Spitfire has also been ordered from Lord Nuffield, who is to build it in his new Birmingham factory. When Is It Bad Weather? T HERE seems to be a good deal of dissatisfaction, at Croydon in particular, about the way in which the controlled zone is enforced—or not, as the case may be. On one or two occasions recently, when the visibility has been fairly, poor and the height of a few of the lower cloud masses has been at 500ft. or less, QBI has not been in action, while at other times, with a compara tively low cloud base, say, 8ooft., but with unlimited visibility, the fatal letters have appeared on the tower and in the main hall. Obviously the minimum figures laid down by inter national arrangements must, as far as possible, be adhered to, otherwise it would not be possible to control regular air services. But the controlled zone system was designed simply and solely to secure safety, and in matters of this kind the letter of the law is entirely unappreciative. Whether the conditions are safe for the passage of uncon trolled and radio-less aeroplanes amidst the regular trans port machines is entirely a matter of experience. Only the control officer who has had this experience as a trans port pilot can possibly say whether conditions are fit or otherwise. It would be unfair and unkind to find fault with the con trol officers in general, probably 80 per cent, of whom are in every way capable, but while the institution of the con trolled zone is to some extent a matter of personal prefer ence in a control tower, the persons exercising this prefer ence should be fully experienced. By way of postscript one may reasonably ask whether the Air Ministry can always expect to obtain the services of the best possible staff when the control officers' salaries a re so absurdly low. The "Bottle Neck" ylFTER the first flush of enthusiasm over the Civil Air /-\ Guard Scheme has died down, those concerned with •*• * working out the details are gradually discovering the aspects which are likely to form the " bottle neck," and are seeking ways and means of surmounting the difficulties. As Flight has pointed out more than once since the C.A.G. scheme was first announced, there are really three likely sources of delay, two of which can be classed as production problems while the third is financial. Insurance is likely to prove a stumbling block to many would-be C.A.G. pilots. There seems to be little that the Government or the aircraft industry can do about it, and the matter will have to sort itself out, governed by natural financial conditions. Of the two "production" problems, that which concerns the supply of machines may safely be left to the British aircraft industry. Other considerations will in any case preclude a real start being made until next spring. There remains the very important problem of instructors. Already there is difficulty in securing the requisite number of qualified instructors for the R.A.F. training centres, and obviously these must be given precedence. One is thus forced to the conclusion that, however much it may be regretted, it will become necessary to lower the standard in the case of the Civil Air Guard Scheme. Certainly no one would willingly adopt a measure which might detract in the slightest degree from the reputation which British flying tuition has established, but if relax ation there must be, it is obviously better that it should be applied to the less important than to the more important sphere of flying. And when it comes to a choice between those training for service in the R.A.F. and civilians learn ing to fly for their " A " licence, there can be no doubt.
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