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
PART
I. THE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES AIR THEIR GRIEVANCES
II. THE PRINCIPLES, HAVING SETTLED THEIR DIFFERENCES, FINISH THE JOB
III. THE GREAT TEST
IV. CROSS COUNTRY
CHAPTER
I. FLIGHT
II. STABILITY AND CONTROL
III. RIGGING
IV. PROPELLERS
V. MAINTENANCE
TYPES OF AEROPLANES
GLOSSARY
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.
Deserted, did I say? But not so. The lecture that day
had been upon the Elementary Principles of Flight, and
they lingered yet.
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