RAF Notebook - airmanship
Title
RAF Notebook - airmanship
Description
Includes note on: air raid and other ground signals, notes on airmanship (aircraft and emergency handling), rules of the air, theory of flight notes, night flying and lights, forced landing procedure and formation flying,
Creator
Coverage
Language
Type
Format
Multi-page notebook with handwritten notes
Publisher
Rights
This content is available under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International license (Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0). It has been published ‘as is’ and may contain inaccuracies or culturally inappropriate references that do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the University of Lincoln or the International Bomber Command Centre. For more information, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ and https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/legal.
Contributor
Identifier
MRosserLV745193-190517-37
Transcription
[underlined] 745693. SGT. ROSSER [/underlined] [underlined] AIRMANSHIP [/underlined]
Form 714.
ROYAL AIR FORCE.
Rough Notebook for use in Laboratories and Workshops.
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
Air Raid Signal:- Red ‘R’ on white base plus prohibition of landing.
[sketch]
on seeing these signs proceed to [deleted] [indecipherable word] landing ground [/deleted] area and fly at 4,000’
[circled] Total Prohibition of landing [/circled]
(with one yellow diagonal care to be taken when landing)
[sketch]
[underlined] SIGNAL PANEL [/underlined i.e. Special Area
[symbol] 40’ Square
[sketch] [sketch]
[page break]
[sketch] [underlined] Directional ‘T’ [/underlined] accompanied by black ball on a white mast indicates all aircraft to land in direction of ‘T’
[sketch] [symbol] [underlined] Hollow White Square [/underlined] – Bombing in Progress
[sketch] [symbol] [underlined] Red ‘G’ without bar [/underlined] gas attack land and proceed to [deleted word] upwind side of aerodrome and wait there.
[underlined] Red ‘G’ with bar [/underlined] [sketch]
Gas attack - do not land
[page break]
[sketch] [symbol] White Cross. Parachute dropping in progress.
Do not land. If on aerodrome either taxy or take off.
[sketch] Yellow pyramid – [indecipherable word] landing in progress.
If circuit or ‘T’ is changed a smoke candle will be lit by the watch office.
[underlined] Methods of indicating ‘bad ground’. [/underlined]
[sketch] White cross in centre of bad ground.
[sketch] White [indecipherable word] stripe at intervals across bad ground indicate prohibition of taxying.
[page break]
ORANGE OR WHITE LIGHTS. – LOCAL RECALL.
[sketch] [symbol] [underlined] Blue [/underlined] white ‘T’ with two ‘dots’ above it. [underlined] or each alone [/underlined]
[underlined] Return to aerodrome. [/underlined] (units of particular station)
[sketch] [circled] [deleted] RED [/deleted][/circled) WHITE LIGHTS CHANGING TO GREEN IN FLIGHT.
[underlined] GENERAL RECALL. [/underlined]
All aircraft to return to nearest aerodrome.
RECALL OF SINGLE AIRCRAFT.
Sending of letter ‘L’ successively directed to particular aircraft.
[sketch] White or white lights changing to green.
Return to own aerodrome.
[page break]
[underlined] Method of checking [inserted] ancillary controls [/inserted] controls [/underlined]
[underlined] CRAFTS [/underlined]
[underlined] Petrol [/underlined]
Signs of petrol tank running short.
1/ Drop in R.P.M.
2/ Drop in boost accompanied by vibration
3/ Engine firing intermittently.
Pilots should bear in mind approximate duration of each tank so they will be prepared to take necessary action when symptoms of exhaustion occur.
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
Pilots duty on landing at strange aerodrome.
1. Report to Duty Pilot
2. [deleted letter] Pilot should ensure that his plane is safely parked or picketed.
3.
Before performing aerobatics.
1. Pilot must ensure all passengers are securely strapped in.
2. He must warn them before carrying out aerobatics.
Ballast.
The C.O. is responsible to see that ballast when carried is of proper type and securely secured.
All loose articles in plane must be fixed to ‘plane.
Flying Regulations or Restrictions.
i Aerobatics forbidden below 3000’ including spinning.
ii Any aeroplane over 6.000 lbs in weight must not carry out aerobatics
iii No climbing turns below 500 ft.
iv No flying over ships at sea except when ordered.
v No direct flight across aerodrome unless over 3.000 feet.
[page break]
[underlined] Sperry Gyro – Horizon [/underlined]
Limitation – 60° climb or glide 90° bank – incorrect readings above those figures.
[underlined] Directional Gyro [/underlined]
55° climb or bank will produce incorrect reading.
The gyro wheel being unaffected by rotation of the earth will differ from the compass 5° in 20 mins.
[sketch]
[page break]
vi
vii No pilot must affix himself to a formation unless ordered.
viii Balast [sic] must not be thrown overboard except in emergency.
[underlined] Rules of the Air [/underlined]
i When two aircraft approach each other lead on each should alter course to starboard.
ii The aircraft which has the other on its own right side shall alter course to starboard.
iii In “ii” an aircraft must not dive when altering course to starboard.
iv If forced to low fly entry must be made in low flying book stating reasons.
[underlined] Official instrument flying panel [/underlined] – see other side of page.
As mounted on springs, Directional Gyro indicates [underlined] amount [/underlined] of turn. Turn & Bank indicator shows [underlined] rate [/underlined] of turn
[deleted] Correction [/deleted] Correct interpretation of instruments is taught in the Link trainer as used for instrument flying.
[page break]
[underlined] Atmosphere [/underlined]
Air Pressure at Ground Level – 14.7 lbs [symbol]”. At 18000 feet pressure is halved.
A standard ‘atmosphere’ is taken upon which aircraft instruments are calibrated.
1 Millibar of pressure lost represents climb of 30 feet.
When flying from high to low pressure altimeter will over-read in area of low pressure.
[sketch]
(Chapt. 3 A.P.129 Para 10)
[page break]
Thermal Up-Currents.
[page break]
[underlined] THEORY OF FLIGHT [/underlined]
AEROFOIL SECTION
[sketch] [symbol] 70% of lift line
50° is angle of stall.
[sketch] Handley page slot – increases stalling [indecipherable word] and lift of wing
[underlined] Aspect Ration [/underlined]
[sketch] SPAN/CORD = 36’/6’ = 6ft.
[page break]
[underlined] Wing Loading [/underlined] = All up weight in lb/Area in sq.ft. = lbs per sq ft.
[underlined] Flaps [/underlined] Increase lift but also increases drag.
[sketch]
Flaps increase angle of glide and act as a brake on the aerodrome after touching the deck.
[sketch] FAIREY CAMBER FLAP
[sketch] SPLIT FLAP
[sketch] SLOTTED FLAPS (HANDLEY PAGE)
[page break]
Blank page
[page break]
Advantage of Power Approach.
1/ Slower
2/ Controlled rate of descent
3/ More control
4/ Easier flattening out for landing.
5/ Less judgement required than on a glide approach.
[page break]
1) MONEY FLARE
[sketch] [symbol] Asbestos soaked in paraffin
2) GOOSENECK
[sketch]
3) GLIM LIGHTS (ELECTRIC BATTERY)
[sketch] [symbol] TO WINDWARD [symbol] WIND
BOUNDARY LIGHTS ORANGE
OBSTRUCTION – RED
[page break]
[underlined] Night Flying [/underlined] AP.129 A.P.P. II A.M.O. 83/39.
Carried out under supervision of officer.
All lighting arrangements conducting a/c in or out of ‘drome by A.C.P. (aerodrome control pilot).
Fire tender and ambulance, trailer and tractor with strong wire cable for clearing a/c debris to be on aerodrome during night flying.
A.C.P. must have following equipment. 2 Very light pistols & signal cartridges (three colours). Hand electric Camp. 6 spare flares or glim lights. 8 red emergency obstruction lights or glim lights. Floodlight & portable electric wind indicator.
[underlined] Types of Flare. [/underlined]
1) Money Flare
2) Gooseneck.
3) GLIM LIGHT (ELECTRICAL BATTERY) – ORANGE – WHITE – RED.
[page break]
[underlined] FLARE PATH [/underlined]
[sketch] Boundary lights orange
[sketch] [symbol] Flight path
[sketch] downwind – Beacon floodlight Boundary light – orange
In bad weather – Gooseneck.
In good weather – Glim lights.
[sketch] [symbol] TAXYING POST
Beacon is placed 4 miles West of ‘drome.
A hand torch should be carried by pilot.
[page break]
Forced landing signal. – A series of short flashes on navigational, identification or signal lights.
[sketch]
[underlined] Process of dropping flares when forced landing [/underlined]
1) Open bomb door
2) Select Switch
3) Master switch
4) Firing switch
On a squadron the floodlight is not used except in an emergency – headlight only is used.
[page break]
[underlined] Forced landing procedure. [/underlined]
1. Examine aircraft to ascertain necessary repairs.
2. Endeavour to keep spectators from damaging private property.
3. Get owner of land and ask most intelligent spectator to look after ‘plane.
4. Do not allow any smoking.
5. If it is necessary to have civilian help move aeroplane, each must have clear instructions as regards what to do.
6. Phone C/o of nearest Air Force unit after putting most responsible person available in charge of aircraft.
7. Whilst phoning c/o place yourself under his orders and give him the following information:-
Rank & Name of pilot
Aeroplane type and number
Unit
Proceed from or to (details of trip)
Accurate description of position
Tel. number where message may be sent to pilot
Cause of forced landing
Extent of damage.
8. Find out when aeroplane will be repaired and fit to fly.
9. Time in air between last refuel and landing ind amount of fuel.
10. Ask C/O to inform your own station.
11. [deleted] When en route from [/deleted] Ask C/O to inform your destination of forced landing
[page break]
[underlined] Forced Landing. [/underlined] { AP.129 Chap.2 Para 9497
{ Chap.3 Para 157-158
1/ Travelling copy of Form 700 must be carried.
2/ Maintenance schedule
3/ Form 171 or forced landing form.
4/ Forced landing instructions
5/ Brief description of circumstances in which forced landing was made.
6/ Name and address of prospective claimant (eg. householder landlord or farmer).
7/. [deleted] damage [/deleted] Whether injury was incurred to persons or live stock.
8/ If landing is near military barracks then C/O may be asked to arrange guard from said barracks.
9/ Extent of damage.
1) Caused by actual landing
2) caused by saving of aeroplane.
[page break]
[sketch] [underlined] Certain qualities common to all formation [/underlined]
1/ Ease of Control
2/ Power of [indecipherable word]
3/ Power of manoeuvre
4/ Flexibility
[underlined] [deleted] Closed [/deleted] Close formation [/underlined] – [underlined] Advantage [/underlined]
1. When [indecipherable word] to [indecipherable words]
2. To help concentration of machine gun fire.
3. To ensure maximum supporting fire
4. To present as small a target as possible
5. To facilitate evasion by manoeuvre.
[underlined] Open formation – Advantages [/underlined]
1. When first [indecipherable word] is observation
2. When sub-formation [indecipherable word] to fly through clouds.
3. When sub-formation are distributed above and below cloud layers – when equipped with RT.
4. When [indecipherable word] to [deleted word] [indecipherable words] objects and no minimising down of [indecipherable word]
[underlined] Points to give pilot of leading formation [/underlined]
1. Object of flight and objective.
2. Time at which planes must be in position with engine running.
3. Method of taking off.
4. Position of each individual plane for take off.
5. Type of cruising formation to be used and exact position of each plane.
6. Any special signals which your leader will employ.
[page break]
[underlined] Objects of Formation Flying [/underlined]
1/ Concentration of power
2/ Mutual support
3/ Moral advantage
4/ Obtain best result in certain forms of attack or objective.
[underlined] Achievement of these object. [/underlined]
1. Leadership
2. Intercommunication
3. Discipline
4. Drill
5. Fire tactics
[underlined] Factors governing disposition of aeroplane in formation [/underlined]
1. Leader is responsible for security.
2. Course flown
3. Tactics adopted.
4. Deputy leader ready to act immediately.
5. Leader or deputy leaders ‘plane must be marked and they must fly in a pre-arranged place.
6. Machines must nor fly directly behind each other – slipstream or obstruction of view.
7. Simple organization.
7. Formation must be flexible.
[page break]
Blank page
Form 714.
ROYAL AIR FORCE.
Rough Notebook for use in Laboratories and Workshops.
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
Air Raid Signal:- Red ‘R’ on white base plus prohibition of landing.
[sketch]
on seeing these signs proceed to [deleted] [indecipherable word] landing ground [/deleted] area and fly at 4,000’
[circled] Total Prohibition of landing [/circled]
(with one yellow diagonal care to be taken when landing)
[sketch]
[underlined] SIGNAL PANEL [/underlined i.e. Special Area
[symbol] 40’ Square
[sketch] [sketch]
[page break]
[sketch] [underlined] Directional ‘T’ [/underlined] accompanied by black ball on a white mast indicates all aircraft to land in direction of ‘T’
[sketch] [symbol] [underlined] Hollow White Square [/underlined] – Bombing in Progress
[sketch] [symbol] [underlined] Red ‘G’ without bar [/underlined] gas attack land and proceed to [deleted word] upwind side of aerodrome and wait there.
[underlined] Red ‘G’ with bar [/underlined] [sketch]
Gas attack - do not land
[page break]
[sketch] [symbol] White Cross. Parachute dropping in progress.
Do not land. If on aerodrome either taxy or take off.
[sketch] Yellow pyramid – [indecipherable word] landing in progress.
If circuit or ‘T’ is changed a smoke candle will be lit by the watch office.
[underlined] Methods of indicating ‘bad ground’. [/underlined]
[sketch] White cross in centre of bad ground.
[sketch] White [indecipherable word] stripe at intervals across bad ground indicate prohibition of taxying.
[page break]
ORANGE OR WHITE LIGHTS. – LOCAL RECALL.
[sketch] [symbol] [underlined] Blue [/underlined] white ‘T’ with two ‘dots’ above it. [underlined] or each alone [/underlined]
[underlined] Return to aerodrome. [/underlined] (units of particular station)
[sketch] [circled] [deleted] RED [/deleted][/circled) WHITE LIGHTS CHANGING TO GREEN IN FLIGHT.
[underlined] GENERAL RECALL. [/underlined]
All aircraft to return to nearest aerodrome.
RECALL OF SINGLE AIRCRAFT.
Sending of letter ‘L’ successively directed to particular aircraft.
[sketch] White or white lights changing to green.
Return to own aerodrome.
[page break]
[underlined] Method of checking [inserted] ancillary controls [/inserted] controls [/underlined]
[underlined] CRAFTS [/underlined]
[underlined] Petrol [/underlined]
Signs of petrol tank running short.
1/ Drop in R.P.M.
2/ Drop in boost accompanied by vibration
3/ Engine firing intermittently.
Pilots should bear in mind approximate duration of each tank so they will be prepared to take necessary action when symptoms of exhaustion occur.
[page break]
[blank page]
[page break]
Pilots duty on landing at strange aerodrome.
1. Report to Duty Pilot
2. [deleted letter] Pilot should ensure that his plane is safely parked or picketed.
3.
Before performing aerobatics.
1. Pilot must ensure all passengers are securely strapped in.
2. He must warn them before carrying out aerobatics.
Ballast.
The C.O. is responsible to see that ballast when carried is of proper type and securely secured.
All loose articles in plane must be fixed to ‘plane.
Flying Regulations or Restrictions.
i Aerobatics forbidden below 3000’ including spinning.
ii Any aeroplane over 6.000 lbs in weight must not carry out aerobatics
iii No climbing turns below 500 ft.
iv No flying over ships at sea except when ordered.
v No direct flight across aerodrome unless over 3.000 feet.
[page break]
[underlined] Sperry Gyro – Horizon [/underlined]
Limitation – 60° climb or glide 90° bank – incorrect readings above those figures.
[underlined] Directional Gyro [/underlined]
55° climb or bank will produce incorrect reading.
The gyro wheel being unaffected by rotation of the earth will differ from the compass 5° in 20 mins.
[sketch]
[page break]
vi
vii No pilot must affix himself to a formation unless ordered.
viii Balast [sic] must not be thrown overboard except in emergency.
[underlined] Rules of the Air [/underlined]
i When two aircraft approach each other lead on each should alter course to starboard.
ii The aircraft which has the other on its own right side shall alter course to starboard.
iii In “ii” an aircraft must not dive when altering course to starboard.
iv If forced to low fly entry must be made in low flying book stating reasons.
[underlined] Official instrument flying panel [/underlined] – see other side of page.
As mounted on springs, Directional Gyro indicates [underlined] amount [/underlined] of turn. Turn & Bank indicator shows [underlined] rate [/underlined] of turn
[deleted] Correction [/deleted] Correct interpretation of instruments is taught in the Link trainer as used for instrument flying.
[page break]
[underlined] Atmosphere [/underlined]
Air Pressure at Ground Level – 14.7 lbs [symbol]”. At 18000 feet pressure is halved.
A standard ‘atmosphere’ is taken upon which aircraft instruments are calibrated.
1 Millibar of pressure lost represents climb of 30 feet.
When flying from high to low pressure altimeter will over-read in area of low pressure.
[sketch]
(Chapt. 3 A.P.129 Para 10)
[page break]
Thermal Up-Currents.
[page break]
[underlined] THEORY OF FLIGHT [/underlined]
AEROFOIL SECTION
[sketch] [symbol] 70% of lift line
50° is angle of stall.
[sketch] Handley page slot – increases stalling [indecipherable word] and lift of wing
[underlined] Aspect Ration [/underlined]
[sketch] SPAN/CORD = 36’/6’ = 6ft.
[page break]
[underlined] Wing Loading [/underlined] = All up weight in lb/Area in sq.ft. = lbs per sq ft.
[underlined] Flaps [/underlined] Increase lift but also increases drag.
[sketch]
Flaps increase angle of glide and act as a brake on the aerodrome after touching the deck.
[sketch] FAIREY CAMBER FLAP
[sketch] SPLIT FLAP
[sketch] SLOTTED FLAPS (HANDLEY PAGE)
[page break]
Blank page
[page break]
Advantage of Power Approach.
1/ Slower
2/ Controlled rate of descent
3/ More control
4/ Easier flattening out for landing.
5/ Less judgement required than on a glide approach.
[page break]
1) MONEY FLARE
[sketch] [symbol] Asbestos soaked in paraffin
2) GOOSENECK
[sketch]
3) GLIM LIGHTS (ELECTRIC BATTERY)
[sketch] [symbol] TO WINDWARD [symbol] WIND
BOUNDARY LIGHTS ORANGE
OBSTRUCTION – RED
[page break]
[underlined] Night Flying [/underlined] AP.129 A.P.P. II A.M.O. 83/39.
Carried out under supervision of officer.
All lighting arrangements conducting a/c in or out of ‘drome by A.C.P. (aerodrome control pilot).
Fire tender and ambulance, trailer and tractor with strong wire cable for clearing a/c debris to be on aerodrome during night flying.
A.C.P. must have following equipment. 2 Very light pistols & signal cartridges (three colours). Hand electric Camp. 6 spare flares or glim lights. 8 red emergency obstruction lights or glim lights. Floodlight & portable electric wind indicator.
[underlined] Types of Flare. [/underlined]
1) Money Flare
2) Gooseneck.
3) GLIM LIGHT (ELECTRICAL BATTERY) – ORANGE – WHITE – RED.
[page break]
[underlined] FLARE PATH [/underlined]
[sketch] Boundary lights orange
[sketch] [symbol] Flight path
[sketch] downwind – Beacon floodlight Boundary light – orange
In bad weather – Gooseneck.
In good weather – Glim lights.
[sketch] [symbol] TAXYING POST
Beacon is placed 4 miles West of ‘drome.
A hand torch should be carried by pilot.
[page break]
Forced landing signal. – A series of short flashes on navigational, identification or signal lights.
[sketch]
[underlined] Process of dropping flares when forced landing [/underlined]
1) Open bomb door
2) Select Switch
3) Master switch
4) Firing switch
On a squadron the floodlight is not used except in an emergency – headlight only is used.
[page break]
[underlined] Forced landing procedure. [/underlined]
1. Examine aircraft to ascertain necessary repairs.
2. Endeavour to keep spectators from damaging private property.
3. Get owner of land and ask most intelligent spectator to look after ‘plane.
4. Do not allow any smoking.
5. If it is necessary to have civilian help move aeroplane, each must have clear instructions as regards what to do.
6. Phone C/o of nearest Air Force unit after putting most responsible person available in charge of aircraft.
7. Whilst phoning c/o place yourself under his orders and give him the following information:-
Rank & Name of pilot
Aeroplane type and number
Unit
Proceed from or to (details of trip)
Accurate description of position
Tel. number where message may be sent to pilot
Cause of forced landing
Extent of damage.
8. Find out when aeroplane will be repaired and fit to fly.
9. Time in air between last refuel and landing ind amount of fuel.
10. Ask C/O to inform your own station.
11. [deleted] When en route from [/deleted] Ask C/O to inform your destination of forced landing
[page break]
[underlined] Forced Landing. [/underlined] { AP.129 Chap.2 Para 9497
{ Chap.3 Para 157-158
1/ Travelling copy of Form 700 must be carried.
2/ Maintenance schedule
3/ Form 171 or forced landing form.
4/ Forced landing instructions
5/ Brief description of circumstances in which forced landing was made.
6/ Name and address of prospective claimant (eg. householder landlord or farmer).
7/. [deleted] damage [/deleted] Whether injury was incurred to persons or live stock.
8/ If landing is near military barracks then C/O may be asked to arrange guard from said barracks.
9/ Extent of damage.
1) Caused by actual landing
2) caused by saving of aeroplane.
[page break]
[sketch] [underlined] Certain qualities common to all formation [/underlined]
1/ Ease of Control
2/ Power of [indecipherable word]
3/ Power of manoeuvre
4/ Flexibility
[underlined] [deleted] Closed [/deleted] Close formation [/underlined] – [underlined] Advantage [/underlined]
1. When [indecipherable word] to [indecipherable words]
2. To help concentration of machine gun fire.
3. To ensure maximum supporting fire
4. To present as small a target as possible
5. To facilitate evasion by manoeuvre.
[underlined] Open formation – Advantages [/underlined]
1. When first [indecipherable word] is observation
2. When sub-formation [indecipherable word] to fly through clouds.
3. When sub-formation are distributed above and below cloud layers – when equipped with RT.
4. When [indecipherable word] to [deleted word] [indecipherable words] objects and no minimising down of [indecipherable word]
[underlined] Points to give pilot of leading formation [/underlined]
1. Object of flight and objective.
2. Time at which planes must be in position with engine running.
3. Method of taking off.
4. Position of each individual plane for take off.
5. Type of cruising formation to be used and exact position of each plane.
6. Any special signals which your leader will employ.
[page break]
[underlined] Objects of Formation Flying [/underlined]
1/ Concentration of power
2/ Mutual support
3/ Moral advantage
4/ Obtain best result in certain forms of attack or objective.
[underlined] Achievement of these object. [/underlined]
1. Leadership
2. Intercommunication
3. Discipline
4. Drill
5. Fire tactics
[underlined] Factors governing disposition of aeroplane in formation [/underlined]
1. Leader is responsible for security.
2. Course flown
3. Tactics adopted.
4. Deputy leader ready to act immediately.
5. Leader or deputy leaders ‘plane must be marked and they must fly in a pre-arranged place.
6. Machines must nor fly directly behind each other – slipstream or obstruction of view.
7. Simple organization.
7. Formation must be flexible.
[page break]
Blank page
Collection
Citation
L V Rosser, “RAF Notebook - airmanship,” IBCC Digital Archive, accessed June 16, 2025, https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/collections/document/36711.