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Automatic Pilot Trainer-A new trainer
has been designed to aid in teaching pilots
and bombardiers the functions and operation
of the automatic pilot and to provide
maintenance mechanics with practice in
servicing the robot steering device and
other flight 'control equipment.
Designated Automatic Pilot Trainer, Type
H-2, it consists of an instrument trainer
fuselage, capable of simulating climb, dive
and bank movements, and a Type C-1 automatic
pilot with mechanisms, controls, linkages
and instruments necessary for its operation.
Functioning in the trainer with the same
degree of precision and sensitivity it attains
in a plane, the automatic pilot "flies" the
trainer in a straight course or maneuvers it
in response to controls.
On the trainer's instrument board, in addition
to the automatic pilot control panel,
are an artificial horizon, a turn and bank
indicator, a volt-ammeter, an altimeter and
a pilot director indicator.
A space approximately 12' long, 12' wide
and 9' high is needed for installation of the
automatic pilot trainer. The power requirement
is no volts, 60 cycles and 30
amps.
Maintenance procedures for standard instrument
trainers and for automatic pilots
in aircraft apply also to the Type H-2
trainer.
'Handbook for Recovery'-Proving of great
value to the AAF convalescent training program
is the new AF Manual No. 23, "Handbook
for Recovery," which was produced
by TAD for the Office of the Air Surgeon.
The book deals with physio-therapy and
corrective exercises for casualties who are
on the mend and who eventuallv will return
to dutv. It is written in a light vein
and illustrated with manv cartoons depicting
the humorous side' of a patient's
routine.
Distributed to convalescents in AAF hospitals,
the manual offers a simplified course
in anatomy and outlines methods by which
a patient may strengthen and regain use of
a disabled part of his body. .
Gun Camera Manual-Data, previously obtained
only by searching through scores of
TOs and other AAF publications, has been
consolidated and augmented in AF Manual
No. 25, "Gun Camera Manual for Flexible
Gunnery Training."
WHERE TO GO
Information on the availability af training
films and film strips, aircraft recognition meferia
Is. training devices and training publications
may be obtained from the Chief, Training
Aids Division, Army Air Forces, I Park
Avenue, New York 16, N. Y., upon request
through channels. AAF Regulation No. 50-19
explains fully the functions of the Training
Aids Divisio~.
OCTOBER, 1944
TRAINING AIDS
The book provides standardized procedures
for every operation from initial installation
of the gun camera to assessment of
the gunner's accuracy, and it should prove
valuable to gunnery instructors and officers,.
operations and photo officers, power turret
specialists and armorers.
Prepared by the Central School for Flexible
Gunnery, the -rnanual was published
and is being distributed in the usual manner
by TAD.
Gunnery Teaching Technique-To make
flexible gunnery classes more interesting and
to aid in the effective presentation of subject
matter, AF Manual No. 16, "Teaching
Methods for Flexible Gunnerv Instructors,"
has been published by the 'Training Aids
Division.
The 32-page, two-color booklet was prepared
with the assistance of Ohio State
University's educational research department
following a survey by the Flexible
Cunnery Instructors School, Laredo, Texas.
Covering lectures, demonstrations, discussions,
tests, individual conferences, classroom
aids and other phases of pedagogy,
the manual also provides a coordinated program
for the use of training publications,
films and other devices.
The booklet is now being distributed to
flexible gunnery schools and instructors. In
general content, it may prove valuable to
teachers of other Army subjects, and a limited
number of copies are available to them
and other persons concerned upon application
through channels.
'Fighter Gunnery' - Basic principles of
fighter gunnery are explained in a new
manual, prepared by the Training Command
and the Fixed Gunnery Instructors
School.
Titled "Fighter Gunnery," the book includes
data on optical sight, limits of effective
range, harmonization, r,mge estimation,
deflection allowance, curves of pursuit, synthetic
training devices, gun camera, firing
practice and other related subjects.
The manual is being distributed by TAD.
Gunnery Posters-Firing accuracy, gained
by fighter pilots only through a complete
knowledge of the physical principles involved
in fixed gunnery, is the theme of a
new instructional poster series distributed by
TAD.
Consisting of 21 posters assembled in the
standard TAD binder, the series is labeled
"Fighter Pilot Gunnery." Each poster is
30" x 40" in size and is lithographed in
three colors. For the convenience of instructors,
explanatory matter for each poster
appears on the back of the preceding one.
Training Films-Emergency landing techniques,
camouflage, fuel tank fires and aircraft
recognition are subjects covered in five
recently released training films.
Crash Landings in Unfavorable Terrain
(TF 1-3331) demonstrates, by means of
model planes and sand tables, the basic procedure
for setting down bombers and fighters
on unsuitable ground. The film also tells
the story of a B-25 crew which survived a
crash landing only because each member
was well drilled in his emergency duties.
Running time: 35 minutes.
Flying the Hurdle Stage (TF 1-3344)
describes the proper method for making a
short field landing over obstacles. Forced by
a low fuel supply to attempt such a landing,
a P-38 pilot is "talked down" by an officer
skilled in hurdle approaches. Later, the pair
discuss the reasons for each step taken. Running
time: 15 minutes.
Camouflage Cartoon (TF 1-3351) is a
non-technical film intended to impress per-.
sonnel with the importance of visual deception.
It emphasizes the necessity of
thinking of camouflage in terms of the airview.
Running time: 30 minutes. "*
CARTOON BY F. WILKINSON
47