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Aviation History
1953
1953 - 1109.PDF
28 August 1953 Command pilot, is spared the frightening academic knowledge; instead, the accent is put on operational factors and limitations of his aircraft and engines. A certain amount of academic know ledge is, of course, also required of him, and weaknesses are revealed by frequent examinations—the result of which may mean withdrawal from certain types of flying. Not so the airline pilot. His academic knowledge was probably higher than the Service man's at first; but once he has achieved his academic pass, he need never undergo further examinations. I sincerely believe that this severe technical academic examination necessary for the grant of the licence has been a dominating factor for some time past in limiting to a trickle the entry of the senior civil airline pilot into the profession. The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Transport, and I.C.A.O., have laid down these standards, but the question remains whedier such a high academic knowledge is necessary for die civil pilot and, if so, whether it is sufficient evidence to justify entrusting him widi an aircraft-load of live cargo. The Transport Command pilot's task is in every way similar to the airline pilot. Apart from his frequent written examinations, periodical flying tests are also undergone. Continuation training of this sort for the civil pilot must, of financial necessity, be extremely limited. For this reason alone, I would place the Service pilot's capabilities above diose of the airline pilot. Examination of the causes of fatal accidents in commercial aviation can frequently be traced to errors of judgement on the part of the pilot. The comparative fewness of such accidents in Transport Command may or may not be die result of the foregoing reasoning. Nevertheless, it provides food for some considerable thought on the subject of academic qualification v. professional ability. Hullavington, Wilts. L. H. LEVENE, F/O. IN BRIEF Mr. C. Rupert Moore, A.R.C.A., the aeronautical artist, is painting a picture of die attack on the Bismarck on May 24th, 1941, by Swordfish aircraft from H.M.S. Victorious, led by Lt. Cdr. Esmonde. In search of complete veracity, he wonders whedier any reader can tell him die serial number—painted 5ft aft of die roundel—of die leader's aircraft; he has, apparency, been unsuccessful in his attempts to obtain the required informa tion from any official source. Mr. Moore's address is "Tykes- ditch," Oakridge Avenue, Radlett, Herts. THE AERONAUTICAL BOOKSHELF "Pioneering in Aeronautics." Published by the Board of Award of the Daniel Guggenheim Medal, 29 West 39th Street, New York, U.S.A. Illustrated. $1 (paper covers) or $2 (cloth). /~\NE of aviation's proudest honours is die Daniel Guggenheim ^ Gold Medal, awarded annually since 1929 to persons who have made outstanding contributions to die advancement of aeronautics, irrespective of race, colour, nationality or sex. This book contains portraits and short biographies of all 24 recipients of die Medal, starting appropriately witii Orville Wright in 1929 and ending equally appropriately with Sir Geoffrey de Havilland in 1952. The roll includes 16 Americans, four Britons, two Germans, a Spaniard and a Russian-born engineer who is now a naturalized American. In most cases their biographies tell of achievements in basic research or engineering genius tiiat have speeded develop ment of the fixed-wing aeroplane from Orville Wright's frail stick- and-string biplane to Sir Geoffrey de Havilland's sleek Comet. But the honours list includes also pioneers of lighter-dian-air and rotating-wing flight. Some of dieir stories seem incredible even in an age when we are accustomed to newspaper boys growing up into millionaires. Take, for example, die case of a young factory-hand named Larry Bell. One day in 1914 the superintendent of the shop in which he worked walked out; so Bell suggested to his boss, Glenn L. Martin, diat he should be made superintendent and that die company should hire an engineer. This was done. The engineer's name was Donald Douglas, and from tiiose humble beginnings have grown three of the world's great aircraft companies. It is a pity tiiat the biographies of the British Medallists are so brief and colourless, for their stories could easily have provided as rich a source of historical reference and interest as die otiiers. Even more, one must regret die few errors that ought to be avoidable in a book of this nature. The Douglas Skystreak is referred to as a Navy fighter. Lester Gardner is said to have crossed die Atlantic in die Zeppelin Hindenburg in 1939—yet one reads on another page of this airship's destruction in 1937. There are odier equally silly mistakes, but not enough to prevent tiiese stories from being an inspiration to the Whittles, Boeings and Doolitdes of tomorrow. "Flying the Atlantic," by Manfred Reiss. Max Parrish and Co. Ltd., Adprint House, Rathbone Place, London, W.l. Fully illus trated 6s (boards) or 7s 6d (cloth). THIS is one of a series of picture books mat have been adopted officially as education aids for children. At first glance, die unusually bold use of colour and design gives it die appearance of an airline travel brochure painted by Picasso. It is only when one begins to study the stark white skeleton structure of a Stratocruiser, set on a black background, that one sees how skilfully Mr. Reiss has combined die accomplished artist's sense of colour and feeling for drama with die engineer s insistence on precision. Only after reading also die splendidly- written text does it become apparent why Flying the Atlantic is able to teach a youngster more about how aeroplanes work and how airlines operate, more quickly and more effectively than half a dozen ordinary books. _ , This is, in fact, the sort of book that fadiers buy for Junior and then put away in a safe place until they have finished with it themselves. "Newfoundland Air Mails, 1919-1939," by R. E. R. Dalwick and C. H. C. Harmer. H. R. Harmer Ltd., 41 New Bond Street, London, W.i. Price 151. "COR the specialist in air-mail stamps this well-produced book -*- contains a good deal of hitherto unpublished information about special stamps issued for transatlantic flights. In addition the notes on the flights themselves are of genera) interest to those in aviation. The 176 pages are well provided not only with illustra tions of covers and individual stamps, but also with photographs of such subjects as the aircraft and crews concerned. OTHER BOOKS RECEIVED Servicing Guide to British Motor Vehicles (Vol. 2), by J. N. McHattie. Trader Publishing Co., Ltd., Dorset House, Stamford Street, London, S.E.i. Price 42s. Now on sale is a revised edition of John W. R. Taylor's popu lar A.B.C. of Civil Aircraft Markings, published by Ian Allan, Ltd. (Craven House, Hampton Court, Middlesex), at 2s 6d. The book contains the complete alphabetical register of British civil aircraft and a list of the registrations of foreign airliners likely to be seen in this country. As in previous editions, the lists are supplemented by photographs of excellent quality, all of which are new to the series. The Flying Omnibus, edited by Paul Jensen. Cassell and Co., Ltd., 37/38 St. Andrew's Hill, London, E.C.4. Price 15s. A collection of stories about the air, this entertaining omnibus includes contributions from such well-known people as Pierre Clostermann, Paul Brickhill, H. E. Bates and James Thurber. Grouped in five parts, the scope ranges from an Edgar Allan Poe tale, published in 1844, about an imaginary crossing of the Atiantic in a balloon, to a futuristic space-ship story. Aug. Aug. Sept. 29, 30 3-5 Sept. 3-10. Sept. 6. Sept. 7. Sept. 8-10. Sept.11-13. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. 11. M. 13. 14. Sept.14-17. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Sept. Oct. Dec. 1b. 19. 19. 20. 20. 23-24 24. 8. 17. FORTHCOMING EVENTS Vintage Aeroplane Club: Rally, White Waltham. Aero-club d'ltalia: Pescara Rally. Chester Searchlight Tattoo (R.A.F. Night, Sept. 4). Aero-Club de Cannes: Cannes Grand Prix. S.M.A.E.; "Yorkshire Evening News" Model Flying Festival, Sherburn-in-Elmet. S.B.A.C. Farnborough Display and Exhibition: Technicians' Day. S.B.A.C. Farnborough Display and Exhibition: Private Invita tion Days. S.B.A.C. Farnborough Display and Exhibition: Public Days (Public premiere, Friday, 11th). Helicopter Association of Great Britain: Annual Dinner. "At Home," R.N. Air Station Eglinton. Soar Aero Club: International Balloon Rally. R.Ae.S. Wilbur Wright Memorial Lecture: "Structures," by Prof. N. J. Hoff, F.R.Ae.S., F.I.Ae.S. R.Ae.S. and I.Ae.S.: Anglo-American Aeronautical Conference. Battle of Britain Day. "At Home," R.N. Air Station Abbotsinch. R.A.F. At-Home Day. St. Albans Model Aero Club: All-Britain Rally, Radlett. Aero Club de Milan: Milan Grand Prix. , Aerodrome Owners' Association: Annual Conference, New castle-upon-Tyne. City of Coventry Freemen's Guild: Lecture "Development of Armstrong Siddeley Gas-turbine Engines," by W. H. Lindsey, M.A., F.R.Ae.S. Start of England-Christchurch (N.Z.) Air Race. Anniversary of the Wright Brothers' First Flight.
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