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20     U. S. CIVIL AERONAUTICS AUTHORITY

relaxed, he will become increasingly tense in spite of all his efforts and determination.  Also important are the ease and comfort with which the controls are reached.  The seat or the controls should be adjusted until they are in the best position for the student to reach in a normal manner.

The student must be able to see as well.  Poor vision not only causes apprehension and confusion but actually presents a hindrance to progress from a mechanical standpoint in that the student cannot see what is going on.  If the seat is not adjustable, cushions must be supplied, but in their use comfort and ease of control must not be sacrificed.  The exceptionally tall or short student presents a serious difficulty in this regard, but one that must be met if the student is to make normal progress.

Hand signals are a valuable addition to the speaking tube in any type of aircraft.  They should be explained to the student until the meaning of each is entirely clear.  Standard basic signals are as follows:

To nose down-pat the cowl or make a forward and downward motion of the hand with the palm down.

To bring nose up or climb-motion "up" with the hand, palm up. 

To turn-point with the index finger, or thumb of closed hand, in the desired direction.

To increase the bank-make fairly rapid motion of the hand toward the bank with palm down.

To decrease the bank-make fairly rapid motion of the hand on the side of the bank but with palm up.

Slipping or skidding-pat the face on the side it is desired that rudder be used, slowly or rapidly, according to the degree of correction desired.

To fly straight-hand up, palm sideways, make a forward motion with hand.

To fly level-make sideways movement of the open hand pointed along the horizon, palm down.

To relax or relax grip on stick-with hand help up, rapidly clinch and unclinch fist. 

When the student is soloing and taxiing the following are useful:

To stop ship immediately, but not the engine-extend hands straight up, arms extended above shoulders, swing toward each other, crossing them over the head making a series of rapids X's.

To cut the engine immediately-extend arms down and swing toward each other in front of body, pointing toward the ground, making series of rapid X's.

The foregoing preliminary instruction of the student should be given, if possible, on the day preceding his first actual flight lesson.  Just before the start of this first flight lesson he should be quizzed for memory of the functions of the controls, their uses, and the methods of handling them.  His attitude and comfort in the ship should be checked and the hand signals reviewed.

FACTORS FOR CONSIDERATION DURING THE FIRST FLIGHT

Before entering into a discussion of the mechanics of the first lesson a number of factors to be considered during and after it will be discussed.