THE WAY OF THE AIR
THE WAY
OF THE AIR
A DESCRIPTION OF MODERN AVIATION
BY
(“AN AIR PILOT”)
LATE FLIGHT SUB-LIEUT., R.N.; AUTHOR OF “AIRCRAFT”
NEW YORK
PUBLISHERS
Copyright, 1917, by
Frederick A. Stokes Company
All rights reserved including that of translationinto foreign languages
Dedication
TO THE MEMORY OF FRIENDS
WHO HAVE FALLEN IN THE GREAT FIGHT
Captain ADRIAN LIDDELL, V.C., R.F.C.
Flight Sub-Lieut. R. A. J. WARNEFORD, V.C., R.N.
Flight Lieut. ROSHER, R.N.
Flight Lieut. TALBOT, R.N.
Flight Lieut. GRAHAM, R.N.
Flight Commander BEARD, R.N.
Captain BASIL HALLAM RADFORD, R.F.C.
AND
Second-Lieut. ARTHUR FISHER, R.F.C.
“WHO FOUND GLORY ONLY BECAUSE
GLORY LAY IN THE PLAIN PATH OF DUTY”
THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED
The idea of this little book is to give as clearand graphic a description of modern aviation ascircumstances will permit; of the new, heroic raceof men to which Flying has given birth; of theconditions under, and the elements in, which theirwork is carried out, and the difficulties and dangersthey have to encounter. Flying is essentiallya profession for the younger generation. Thestrain is too great for men of more mature years.To withstand such strain requires all the vigor,the recklessness, the iron nerve of youth. It is aprofession that offers an irresistible appeal tohealthy-minded, sport-loving youth, to whom adventureis the nectar of existence.
The writer’s chief endeavor in the openingchapters has been to help the young man whowishes to adopt “Flying” as a profession. PartII of the book is composed of a collection ofincidents taken from the diary of an air pilot onActive Service somewhere in the North of France.They are given in their original form. I also wish[viii]to thank the editors of the Daily Mail, DailyExpress, Daily Chronicle, Evening News, andBoys’ Friend for their courtesy in permitting meto use, in a few instances, material embodied inarticles appearing in their journals.
E. C. M.
London, 1917.