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Aviation History
1952
1952 - 1110.PDF
484 "Flight" photograph RE-EQUIPMENT of the R.A.F. means far more than delivery of the latest jets to operational squadrons. Flying Training Command, which supplies aircrews to the front-line units, is also undergoing changes in equip ment commensurate with its present tasks. During ,a recent visit to Swinderby, a training station which houses No. 201 Advanced Flying School, we were able to study on the spot the implications of such re-equipment—for this unit is just getting into its stride with the operation of two completely new types of trainer, the Vickers Varsity and Valetta. The officer commanding the station, which is one of the R.A.F.'s busiest, is G/C. J. N. H. Whitworth, D.S.O., D.F.C. Chief instructor is W/C. L. E. Giles, O.B.E., D.F.C., and W/C. S. R. Newton heads the technical wing To put 201 A.F.S. clearly in the overall training picture it should be remarked that, for pilots, there are three main stages in practical flying-training. The first is the flying training school, where some 240 hours' instruction ("basic" and "applied") is given in Prentices and Harvards; next comes the advanced flying school, of which there are three types—for training (i) light bomber or night-fighter pilots, (ii) fighter pilots or (iii) heavy-aircraft pilots; the third stage is the operational conversion unit, where training is imparted in types similar to operational aircraft. No. 201 A.F.S., in particular, is devoted to providing pilots for the O.C.U.s of Bomber, Coastal and Transport Commands. The training of navigators is comparable with that of pilots; after receiving some 200 hours' instruction in Ansons and Wellingtons at an air navigation school, the navigator is posted to an advanced flying school, where his training overlaps that of the pilot. Student-crews are completed at the A.F.S. by die addition of signallers under training. The main intake at Swinderby is of commissioned and non commissioned (the former predominate) aircrew with about one year's service. In addition there are ex-aircrew who have rejoined Despite its deep belly, housing the bomb-bay and aiming-position, the 95-ft-span Varsity is a handsome aircraft from many angles. "Flight" photograph FLIGHT, 25 April 1952 FLYING CLASSROOMS The Work of an Advanced Flying School: Varsity T.l and Valetta T3 in Service Nine student-navigators (left) are seen installed in the well-equipped interior of the Valetta 7.3. Above is the "basement" of the Varsity, in which there is ample space for bomb-aiming pupil and instructor; behind them is a compartment for two dozen 25-/6 practice bombs. the R.A.F. on four- or eight-year re-engagements, and officers who have been "desk-bound" or otherwise unable to fly for five hours per month—the total deemed necessary to retain pro ficiency. Service flying standards have changed so much in the post-war years that pilots taking the refresher courses find meir time very fully occupied. At Swinderby we spoke to one pilot who was instructing at a Wellington A.F.S. when the war ended; he took a staff job in 1946 and returned to A.F.S. work, again on Wellingtons, four years later at a lower rank. On the surface, he said, this seemed a poor prospect, but he soon found that astonishing changes in instructional technique and safety standards had completely transformed his tutorial duties. Such innovations as improved radar aids, new traffic patterns and the all-weather flying policy had all made the work of both instructor and pupil more respon sible and interesting; in some aspectsof flying, such as asymmetric technique (with pupils practising single-engined landings on Wellingtons soon after their first solo on the type) the post-war student was indeed being trained to a higher standard than the 1945 instructor. Swinderby received its first Varsity in October, 1951, when the immediate task was to adapt the training system to take full advantage of the new aircraft and "convert" instructors to fly the type. Regular deliveries followed, Varsities were fed into the already formed Wellington squadrons and the first course of Varsity-trained pilots and navigators started late in November. Full intakes of signallers have not yet arrived at Swinderby and the pupil-signaller's position is usually vacant. All three categories of aircrew begin their course at 201 A.F.S. with two weeks' ground training. Pilots are introduced to the Varsity and study the fuel, oil, hydraulic, electric, pneumatic and allied systems, cockpit layouts and vital actions of this and other multi-engined types. For navigators and signallers, more revision is included in the ground syllabus. Student crews are formed at the beginning of training, although there is no guarantee that they will remain teamed-up on leaving the A.F.S. The flying syllabus is based mainly on the requirements of the pilot-students, since nearly every moment spent in the air (except on circuits and "bumps") gives the other crew-members oppor tunities of plying their trade. First the pilot must learn to take-off,
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