New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-25
Thousands of Young Men Sought
By u. S. to Man Battle Planes
Dearth of Applicants at Military Aviation Schools Is Re
ported-Only 500 Now in Training Fieds-Gov-
eminent Hopes to Graduate 200 Week

prepare for examinations IN the iolIo"
ing subjects:
Engines.
'Cross-country and General flying.
Signalling and wireless.
Aerial observation.
Gunnery. military studi~.
The first subject takes the student IN
the beginning through thorough
course on the operation and construc-
ton of stationary engines, and later
into the intricacies Of the rotary en-
zine and the magnetic theory.
The theory Of fight includes a mum
Der OF subjects, embracing the history
o. human fight and the physical prob
Ions involved IN flying. The student IS
taught 20 distinguish between the varl-
Gus kinds of machines and to be ia
m.l'ar with their points, their care and
rerair. The mysteries Of sallmaklng
and splicing are revealed; rigging and
Landing ground are explained IN prac-
teal illustrations. Among the most
important things to learn is the con.
tents of that wizards bag which saved
many an aviators life-the tool KIT.
Must Study Astronomy
In the study Of 'cross-country flying
the cadet is supposed 10 take. up such
abetruse subjects as meteorology ana
astronomy; the first 10 "show winch
yav the wind blows and the second to
give o familiarity with the stars, which
viii enable the nightbound aviator 70
guide without compass. Everybody
knows the supreme Importance Of pho
Biography IN military flying, as practiSed
on the Western front. 10 know your
camera and when to shoot" as your
machine goes Engaging over enemy
territory is an accomplishment wnlSh
the military sirman cannot DO WIN
out.
With these important ideas in, mind
the instructors in ground schools are
giving an especially thorough course
I'm artillery observation. The STUDY or
The "miniature range" is especially
fascinating and a good test OF eye
teenness. cool-headedness and sense OF
direction. g..
miniature Of the enemy country IS
nainted on a board and the cadet sits
on An elevated platform at a distance
above his objective which Will, as lar
az vision is concerned, approximate
his views of the earth while flying at
fighting height. Landmarks are
shown on the chart and the instructor
indicates some spot at which an I'm .
81
aginary battery is firing. II is the JOB
of the student to correct the ann OF
the hypothetical big gun.
Map Reading a Feature
Map reading. too, is an item TO
which the student must give his prayer,
full attention. The most sklliul aerlal
performer lacking a thorough knowl-
edge Of maps and what thew mean
might set out for home some Tine nlght
and find himself landing IN coy camp
where only German is spoken.
In the study of gunnery the prospee-
tive flyer comes in for one OF the nard-
est courses in the school. lie must
learn the technique Of the machine gun
and be able to take IT apart and put
It together again. III.
Great stress is put upon radio WORK.
for il is Of paramount Importance that
very war aviator shall be an expert
wireless telographer When It is stated
that flyer, under battle conditions, IS
called upon 20 run his machine with
one hand and signal TO the artillery
with the other, it will be understood
how indispensable is d thorough knowl-
edge Of radio technique.