§ 24. Colonel DAYasked the Secretary of State for Air if he will, with a, view to the greater safety of Royal Air Force pilots, cause instructions to be given that will result in such officers being given more adequate instruction on the type of machine they are to fly before being allowed to change over from one type of machine to another?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe Regulations contain explicit instructions on the point 274 raised by the hon. and gallant Member. Briefly, they are to the effect that before a pilot flies an unfamiliar type of aeroplane, he must either be given dual instruction in its use before flying solo, or, if it is a type in which dual instruction cannot be given, must satisfy his Commanding Officer that he is accustomed to flying corresponding types, and must also be given ground instruction by a responsible officer conversant with the type in regard to its characteristics in flight, and the systems of engine and petrol control which it embodies. I am advised that a pilot of average experience should find little or no difficulty in changing from one type of aeroplane to another, since the principles of flying and flying control are the same for all types of aeroplanes. This is borne out by experience, and I do not consider that further instructions on the subject are necessary.