Learning to fly in the U.S. Army

That part of the history of Aviation which has especial interest for aviators is of recent date, and extends back only two dozen years. Of course efforts have been made toward m...

=Modern Airplanes Combining Best Features of Previous Experiments.=—The modern airplane, of which the Curtiss training machine used at the U. S. Aviation Schools is typical, is...

=Support of an Airplane by Its Wings.=—An airplane is supported just as definitely as though on top of a post, and by the same law, namely reaction. If you try to sweep the air...

=Starting Off.=—The first thing to do before starting off in an airplane is to inspect carefully everything about the machine and assure yourself that it is in perfect condition.

Cross-country flying differs from ordinary airdrome flying in that it takes you a long way off from your landing field. On the airdrome your chief anxiety is to learn how to fly...

=Object.=—The object of this chapter is to teach the elementary principles of correct rigging. It is not expected that the student will become an expert mechanic, but with this...

The materials of construction for airplanes should be of such material, size and form as to combine greatest strength and least weight. With metal parts in particular it may be...

Airplanes shipped from the manufacturer or from another field almost always suffer more or less from shipment or packing. Care must be exercised in unpacking in order not to do...

Before an airplane is assembled for the first time after leaving the factory, and especially after it has made its first few “breaking-in” flights, the fuselage or basic framewo...

No unimportant part of the operation and maintenance of airplanes is their handling in the field, and at the various bases previous to, between, and after flights. This phase of...

Mechanics in charge of airplanes, who are primarily responsible for their safety while in their care, should constantly think of new methods for insuring greater safety and reli...