Viewing page 120 of 206

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

116

U.S. CIVIL AERONAUTICS AUTHORITY

into position for one or the other because of their confidence in their ability to execute these maneuvers accurately. This procedure complicates matter by providing two objectives instead of one. These maneuvers are not given for the purpose of making forced landings, but like "eights" and other training maneuvers that require constant planning, judgment, and accurate subconscious maneuvering, they are given for the purpose of developing just those traits to a high degree. 
  The instructor should explain that the object of flying training is to simplify the problems incident to flying by demonstrating the most practical method of solving them, using principles which have been learned in other maneuvers rather than the maneuvers themselves. Training maneuvers are designed to teach principles and make them a part of the piloting technique. The student should be taught to appreciate their value and use them in other practical applications, not merely as a part of the training maneuver. This will further emphasize and teach the necessity for the development of judgment and planning, as well as independent thinking, and the ability to apply technique and knowledge to new problems. 
  The student should not be allowed to develop tendencies toward careless decisions or useless maneuvering during high altitude forced landings, but be required to take advantage of the opportunities they afford for accurate judgment, planning, and execution. 
  As the student progresses he should become increasingly aware of the distortional effects of altitude on the appearance of objects and terrain, and become more accurate in his estimate of true conditions from the appearance they present. Some students do this naturally, while others will require considerable instruction and guidance. 
  Terrain is judged by its general appearance. Each crop has a distinctive appearance as to color and characteristics when viewed from the air. These can be easily pointed out to the student and very little difficulty will be experience by him in learning to recognize them. Since crops are seasonal, their height may be estimated from a knowledge of them and the time of the year. After their crops have been harvested, fields make fair to excellent emergency landing sites, depending on the type of cultivation the crop required. Plowed fields are usually free from obstructions, but they may be very soft or rough. They do have the advantage of insuring a very short roll, but this is offset by the possibility of a nose up or a nose over. 
  Terraced fields, or contour plowing, indicate a decided slope. Never land on either unless absolutely necessary. In any case, never attempt to land across the contours of terraces. 
  Clearings in heavily wooded areas are likely to be full of concealed stumps or logs. 
  Swamps have a distinctive coloring easily recognizable after once having been seen, particularly in sections of the country where swampy areas are numerous. 
  A pilot should familiarize himself with those details of crops and terrain that are likely to be of value to him, such as the above examples. Observations from automobiles and trains as to features of terrain are made by all good pilots, some consciously and some subconsciously. Such knowledge, regardless of how obtained, may often prove of great value.