Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1918-02-06
LETTER FROM AMERICAN
AVIATOR,

FentOn Caldwell, son OIL fTdHh Salu-
we'll of this city, and who has been IN
France for some time with the Amerl-
can Expiditionary Force, has been
making his first flights in French
aeroplanes, and writes of his expert
ences to his brother, Roy, of this city
Through the kindness of Mr.. Caldwell,
the Democrat is able to give its read
ers the letter from the young man,
who has answered his country's call:
Somewhere in France, Jan. 2, 1918.
Dear Roy: ~...... .t
"I have written several letters
telling of my new place and my flying,
hut never know whether they go
through or not, so I will write this
and send it through the Base Censor.
If I get picture before I mail this !
will enclose it. aa..
81 am now flying every day. After
three months of the hardest life ana
the most hardships and privations l
ever imagined, l came to this flying
school to train. 1t is French school
and we few Americans are the nrst
here. We are given French flying
clothes, consisting of helmet, Cog
giles, sweater, fur lined leather coat
and trousers and big fur lined shoes
and gloves, which are all very good.
1--WE fly "Candon" aeroplanes. Look
these up in any aviators magazine
and you will see the kind Of planes
we are flying The training here
should be done in about two months.
then if I pass my Brevet test, which
I'll explain later, I get my French
Brevet, which makes me licensed air
pilot in every country in the world.
And the pin which the French govern
ment gives the Brevet pilot is much
coveted thing.
The test is to climb 1000 meters and
stay up two hours, to make so good
landings, to make spiral dives, to make
two cross-country flights to some cities
around here.
While 1 was on the field Sunday
waiting to 60 up plane came in
from out of the sky and landed The
pilot got out, half frozen, and said he
was taking his cross country test He
was from field about 100 miles away
and landed to get papers signed so as
to prove he landed here.
1--WE have some of our men in the
American Base Hospital near here and
Sunday we all wrote note to them
and put it in big package and pilot
flew over the hospital and dropped our
letter right at the door.
made my first flight last Saturday
and I have have had on hour in the air
since. I 60 up with a French instruct
or or Moniteur, in a dual control
plane. I run the machine but he cor
reefs mistakes. 1t is very hard to
judge distance and locations when the
earth is under foot of snow It's
like flying over sheet.
81 made my frst landing Sunday
evening and it was rotten. l hit tail
first and bounced about 20 feet in
the air and came down with crash.
Nothing was hurt and the Frenchman
laughed an said: oh, La La
1--WE had holiday yesterday and all
went to the city. 1 had a grand din
ner. Lots of eggs). Then I bought
some flying equipment nd some sweets
and came home. I was first up today
but I had to stay in the barracks to
guard it from being ransacked, by
these Hindu Musselmen here. So I'll
fly this afternoon instead. After
make my first flight alone I'll write
you again. fS
After my Brevet is made. I will go to
a bombing or chase school to learn