Evening star., 1942-10-18
ing Time One-Third

The pages are spiral bound so that the
book may be folded fiat and placed with
in easy view of the teachers eyes. There
are 81 lessons, ranging from "Familiari-
zation With the Plane" to Dragging
Areas" A typical one may be quoted as
follows:
Next see that the gas shut-of valve
is in the full ON position, that the
switches are in the full OFF position,
and that the throttle is fully closed.
Propping Instructions.
AFTER the person propping the ship
turns the motor over a few times he
will tell you when to turn the switches
to the ON position by calling CON-
TACT. You will answer CONTACT and
will be sure that you understood his
orders. When he wants the switches off
he will call OFF. You will turn them
off and answer OFF.
AFTER answering CONTACT and
turning the switches on, leave the
throttle in the fully closed position or
only very slightly open. The stick
should be held all the way back After
the motor starts, adjust the throttle
until the motor is turning over approxi-
mately 1000 rpm.
Then glance at your instruments to
see whether the oil pressure has risen
to the proper operating range. After
you have checked the correct wind di-
rection, 1t is permissible to have the
blocks pulled and to taxi with your
instructor to the take-of area"
Loose-Leaf Manual Used.
To accompany the lessons, the CAA
staff prepared a Manual" of loose
given to the student for study against
the next days "hour." When he ap-
pears on the field, the instructor asks
him a series of questions, of which the
following are samples, in case Taxing"
happens to be the subject:
Let's 60 through the procedure which
must always be followed when starting
the engine. See that the ship is not
near other planes and that there is
a clear path ahead so that it may be
TAXED onto the field.
1T should be headed so that dust
raised by the blast of the propeller
will not blow into the hangar or on
spectators, or endanger other ships.
Next see that the wheels of the ship
are properly blocked with approved type
blocks. These are the ons that have
about a 45-degree slant and are con-
nected together with rope, so that they
may both be pulled from one side of the
ship.
Ships Inspection Important.
"You should then run line inspec-
tion of the ship. Even If one has al
ready been completed, go around the
ship and make sure, for your own
satisfaction, that it is airworthy. Make
sure of your gas and oil supply. Don't
rely on the gas gauge, but look in the
tank yourself
After you have done all this cor
rectT. get into the ship, fasten the
sa1-..l ~~.S and adjust this to the proper
tension. Always make this the first thing
you do when entering the cockpit, even
II you are planning on warming up the
motor without going up Immediately.
"A competent operator must be in the
ship at all times while the motor is
running. Have one of the mechanics
or some other capable person prop the
motor for you. Never prop it yourself
while attempting to handle the throttle.
Which is the most important control
used In taxing? Explain.
How sensitive to rudder movements
is the ship while it is taxing?
AT what speed should you taxi?
What sort of a course should YOU
follow while you taxi? Why?
Before you start to take off, what
direction should you turn your plane?
Why?
Where should you hold the control
stick when taxing into the wind?
Against the wind? Why?"
II the pupil Is unable to give satisfac-
tory answers, 1t is evident that he has
failed to prepare himself, and the lesson
Is Cancelled. It also was discovered that
an instructor, before starting a lesson.
not infrequently was compelled to ask
the pupil: Let's see-what did we do the
last time?" Because of the number of
pupils, teachers found it impossible to
trust to memory for the details of their
individual progress.
therefore. a system Of record cards
was introduced. Upon them are noted
errors in the particular lesson, sugges-
lions given to the student for overcoming
his mistakes. and list of maneuvers to
oe reviewed, demonstrated or practiced
during ths nsxt period.