III FROM PASSENGER TO PILOT |
The following notes from “Theta’s” Diary show the progress from novice (with accompanying pilot) to certificated aviator (solo): | Height. | Course. | Remarks. | | 350 ft. | Circuits of Aerodrome | Calm and even; dusk; rested hands on controls. | | 1,000 ft. | Round Aerodrome | Smooth; dusk; felt controls. | | 1,000 ft. | Aerodrome and neighbourhood | Had control a little time, and did left-hand turn. | | 900 ft. | Aerodrome | Controlled along straights. | | 800–1,000 ft. | Aerodrome with occasional turns outside | Bumpy. Had control along straights for some time. Did several left-hand turns, and one complete turn right round. | | 600–700 ft. | Aerodrome | Did circuits, turns, and one landing. | | 600 ft. | Aerodrome | Bumpy; so did not get much control. | | 500 ft. | Aerodrome | Controlled circuits, and two landings. | | 600 ft. | Aerodrome | Entire control; recovery from bank not quite quick enough. One landing. | | 400 ft. | Aerodrome | Better; two landings. | | 300 ft. | Aerodrome | Two landings; taxi and take off. Told to go solo in afternoon. | | 300 ft. | Aerodrome | Two good landings; one bad. Too bumpy for solo. | | 400 ft. | Aerodrome | Bumpy; one landing. | | 300 ft. | Aerodrome | One landing; bumpy. | | 300 ft. | Aerodrome | Entire control, and then sent solo. | | 350 ft. | Aerodrome | First solo; a few circuits and smooth landing. | | 500 ft. | Aerodrome | All right. | | 800 ft. | Aerodrome | Bumpy; landed with engine ticking over too fast. | | 1,500 ft. | Aerodrome | Climbed too steeply and nosed down too much on turns. Very bumpy. | | 700–1,000 ft. | Aerodrome | Calm; flew for half an hour solo; landing fairly good. Climbed at better angle and turns slightly better. | | 500 ft. | Figure eights in ’drome | Did first part for ticket successfully, and landed right on T. | | 500 ft. | Eights in ’drome | Did second part of ticket right again, landing within few yards of T. | | 580 ft. | One wide circuit with engine switched off | Completed tests for R.A.C. Certificate. | | 1,600 ft. | Aerodrome | Joy-ride; landed with too much engine. |
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