The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1918-01-05

following outline is typical: BY the
time student has absorbed during
this week the theory OF flight, engines
Geographic signaling, and the use OF
! intricate aerial instruments (such as
! compasses, air-speed Indicators, IN
clinOmeters), he decides that he has
become master of air subjects
Glasses in rigging repair Of machines
| and types of machines are scheduled
| for the fifth week, while the study of
Geographic signaling, engine. labora-
tory. and machine guns is still con-
tinued. During the sixth and seventh
weeks are given lectures on radio
telegraphy, fighting in the air, map
reading. meteorOlogy, bombs, and
aerial photography.
The close of the eighth week brings
the examination in gunnery Artillery
observation is also on the program,
and 1t is in connection with this work
ginning of the article engaged on the
fascinating miniature target.
About two o'clock on Saturday aft
ernoOn the candidate usually learns his
fate. Perhaps only 16 or II of the
original class of % who entered eight
weeks before remain to graduate But
those who DO have mastered the basic
principles of military aeronautics,
which, as army men are learning more
thoroughly every day, is vital pre-
tn trni int in, In
Commissioned as Officers.
All these grOund-schOOl candidates
are enlisted in the Signal corps or the
Signal Enlisted Reserve corps, where
their status is that of Flying cadets"
AS soon as they are fortunate enough
to pass the test for reserve military
ayiatOrS they receive an officers com
mission, with the regular pay therefor,
and officers receive what is known as
communication Of quarters at all places
where no public quarters are avail
able.
Beyond this, in the case of foreign
duty, is ten per cent extra allowance
provided for by law to officers serving
beyond the limits of the United States
end territories contiguous thereto,
with the exception Of the Canal Zone,
Panama, Porto Rico, or Hawaii. In
addition to the above, aviation officers
who are on duty requiring them to
regularly and frequently
In aerial flights will receive q 25 per
cent increase in the pay of their grade
The foregoing is a brief sketch OF
the working methods Of the aviation
section of the Signal corps Of the
United States army. The ground
schools are still in their infancy, al.
though their growth has been abnor-
nal. From day to day aerial tactics
and Institutional methods are chang
ing, and will continue to change in
accordance with new conditions. The
ground schools form the preliminary
step in the great task of sending
across the German trenches aviators
morally and physically
equipped for their work.
Sent Into Service Abroad.
Every week our flyers are fast grad
lating from ground schools to the
raining schools and from the training
schools to service overseas. And more
md more men are needed to fill the
yaps. 1t is reported that many young
men shy from aviation because fear |
ng they lack the proper physical quail |
ications. No peculiar attachments are |
necessary; the service is not limited |
o trapeze performers or jiu jitsu ex-
,erts. AS the war department stem. |
I'll says: ut must be remembered that |
he flying officer is not AN aerial chauf- |
eur or exhibition flyer He has been
more correctly defined as q twentieth |
century cavalry officer mounted on |
Pegasus"
Physically speaking, what is most |
4 all desired is sound, strong body.
With particular attention paid to eyes.
lerves, and ears. Perfect eyesight is |
sine quo non. Provided they are |
therwise acceptable, candidates Of |
Ight build and more youthful appear
nee than desirable for line officers
viii be given a chance. They should be
t least nineteen and preferably not
yer thirty, although In exceptional
ases," to quote the official announce
1ent, solder men Of pronounced ath-
etc attainments who have spent most
( their lives out Of doors, in the sad
lie, ranching, playing polo, mountain
or In actual flying. may be
ccepted If they can satisfy the exarl-
ling board Of their physical fitness"