AND SONS, LIMITED
GUILDFORD

DEDICATED
TO THE
SUBALTERN FLYING OFFICER

MOTIVE

The reasons impelling me to write this book, the maiden effort of
my pen, are, firstly, a strong desire to help the ordinary man to
understand the Aeroplane and the joys and troubles of its Pilot; and,
secondly, to produce something of _practical_ assistance to the Pilot
and his invaluable assistant the Rigger. Having had some eight years'
experience in designing, building, and flying aeroplanes, I have hopes
that the practical knowledge I have gained may offset the disadvantage
of a hand more used to managing the "joy-stick" than the dreadful
haltings, the many side-slips, the irregular speed, and, in short,
the altogether disconcerting ways of a pen.

The matter contained in the Prologue appeared in the _Field_ of May 6th,
13th, 20th, and 27th, 1916, and is now reprinted by the kind permission
of the editor, Sir Theodore Cook.

I have much pleasure in also acknowledging the kindness of Mr. C. G.
Grey, editor of the _Aeroplane_, to whom I am indebted for the valuable
illustrations reproduced at the end of this book.

CONTENTS

_PROLOGUE_

PAGE

_PART I.--THE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES AIR THEIR GRIEVANCES_ 1
_II.--THE PRINCIPLES, HAVING SETTLED THEIR DIFFERENCES,
FINISH THE JOB_ 15
_III.--THE GREAT TEST_ 27
_IV.--CROSS COUNTRY_ 38

CHAPTER I.--FLIGHT 55
II.--STABILITY AND CONTROL 70
III.--RIGGING 90
IV.--PROPELLERS 115
V.--MAINTENANCE 126

TYPES OF AEROPLANES 130

GLOSSARY 133

THE AEROPLANE SPEAKS

PROLOGUE

PART I

THE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES AIR THEIR GRIEVANCES

The Lecture Hall at the Royal Flying Corps School for Officers was
deserted. The pupils had dispersed, and the Officer Instructor, more
fagged than any pupil, was out on the aerodrome watching the test of
a new machine.