Procedures

United States War Office Regulations (1920)

[Aimed primarily at the largest group of aviators within the Air Section - recruited from the cavalry!]

1. Pilots will not wear spurs when flying.
2. Don't take the machine into the air unless you are satisfied that it will fly.
3. Never leave the ground with the motor leaking.
4. Don't turn sharply when taxiing. Instead of turning sharp, have someone lift the tail around.
5. In taking off, look at the ground and the air.
6. Never get out of the machine with the motor running until the pilot relieving you can reach the engine controls.
7. Pilots should carry hankies in a handy position to wipe off the goggles.
8. Riding on the steps, wings or tail of a machine is prohibited.
9. In case the engine fails on takeoff, land straight ahead regardless of obstacles.
10. No machine must taxi faster than a man can walk.
11. Never run a motor so that blast will blow on other machines.
12. Learn to gauge altitude, especially on landing.
13. If you see another machine near you, get out of the way.
14. No two cadets should ever ride together in the same machine.
15. Do not trust altitude instruments.
16. Before you begin a landing glide, see that no machines are underneath you.
17. If flying against the wind and you wish to fly with the wind, don't make sharp turn near the ground. You may crash.
18. Do not use aeronautical gasoline in cars or motorcycles.
19. Never take a machine into the air until you are familiar with its controls and instruments.
20. If an emergency occurs while flying, land as soon as possible.

Source: Extract from a letter in the Daily Telegraph, from G. Heilig, Vienna