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FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR's MANUAL

   S turns across a road present probably one of the most elementary problems of practical application of the turn, and at the same time do not detract too much attention from the actual handling of the airplane.

   The road, railroad, fense, or whatever is used should be straight for at least a mile and the student required to cross it at 90 to its directions. When the road has been crossed the student should assume a medium bank and again cross the road in the opposite direction in straight and level flight. The radius of the path of the turns on the ground should be equal on both sides of the road (See fig.6.) It is important that the road be crossed at 90 each time, and that this done while in straight and level flight. This will necessitate a short, straight flight on both sides of the road before the turn is started. This maneuver, when executed as described, gives practice in

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FIGURE 6.-S turns across a road.

turning and recovery, as well as straight and level flight, while the attention is being directed to the following of the desired path. It also starts the relegation of coordination to the subconscious when maneuvering to compensate for drift, and is a preliminary to the various type of "eights" which will further perfect the student's ability to handle the airplane with conscious attention not to the maneuvering but only to the results of it.

After sufficient practice with medium turns the problem should then be extended and executed with steep turns in the same manner.

To maintain the same radius of turn in the track on the ground the student will be compelled to compensate for drift. This will require appropriate shallowing or steepening of the bank at the proper places to make good this desired path. The principles involved in accomplishing this should be explained to the student and his errors pointed out to him as he makes them if it is obvious that he is unable to recognize or correct them himself.

He will also require checking on the usual errors made during turns and straight and level flight. It should be stressed that, while he is trying to maneuver the airplane with relation to a path, it is equally important that his flying technique be improved and maintained at as high a standard as possible. There should be no relaxation of his previous standard of technique simply because a new factor is added. This requirement should be maintained throughout the student's progress from maneuver to maneuver until the end of his training, at