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Circular )
No. 10   )

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Office of the Chief Signal Officer,
Washington, October 27, 1913.

The following requirements for a military aviator, effective January 1, 1914, having been approved by the Secretary of War, are published for the information and guidance of all concerned:

1. Make a cross-country flight over a triangular course not less than 100 miles in perimeter with two intermediate landings; this flight to be completed within 48 hours after the start, the same maching being used during the flight.

2. Make a straight-away cross-country flight, without landing, of at least 60 miles, over a previously designated course; return flight to be made either on the same day or on the first subsequent day that the weather permits.

3. During the flight prescribed in paragraphs 1 and 2, the candidate shall remain at least 1,500 feet above the surface of the ground.

4. Make a flight during which the machine shall remain for at least 30 minutes at an altitude of between 2,500 and 3,000 feet above the surface of the ground. The requirement may be accomplished during one of the cross-country flights if practicable.

5. Execute a volplane, with motor cut out completely, at an altitude of 1,500 feet, the motor to be cut out when aeroplane is over the landing field, and on landing cause the aeroplane to come to rest within 300 feet of a previously designated point.

6. Reports will be submitted giving the main military features observed during the flights made under paragraphs 1 and 2/

7. No tests shall be made with passengers. Time of arrival at and departure from the various points may be attested by military or civil authorities; if none of these are present, by the aviators themselves.

8. The candidate will then be examined theoretically and practically on his ability to read maps; his knowledge of the compass, and how to steer thereby; his knowledge of the aeroplane, i.e. what constitutes safe construction; how to make the ordinary repairs of an aeroplane; the action of the machine under ordinary flying conditions, covering the points on the action of the controls, how the angles of lift on the wings change in making turns, how the pressures change both on the main planes, rear elevators, and vertical rudder; and what constitutes safe flying as far as gliding, banking, etc., is concerned.

He will be examined on his knowledge of gasoline motors; carburettors, the most common troubles that occur to motors and how to correct them. He shall be able to make simple repairs, dismantle and assemble motors, and shall show a thorough knowledge of all motors in use at the school.
He shall be examined in meteorology and topography in so far as they relate to aviation.