First-class and second-class-pilots

[dawrana]

It has come as a bit of a surprise to discover recently that there were two grades of pilot in the early days of the War: second-class and first-class. 

For example, the RFC rates of pay for NCO's added flying pay to a qualified first-class pilot at 4s 0d per day and to a qualified second-class pilot at 2s 0d per day.

"Flight"magazine of 17 May 1913 page 548 reports that 135 officers have obtained the RAeC Certificate. Of these, 82 are fully qualified first-class pilots. 19 NCO's are undergoing instruction: of these, 12 are second-class pilots.

It is tempting to think of officers as first-class pilots, and NCO's as second-class pilots (class discrimination!). Alternatively, to think of NCO's as mechanics, who had learned to fly (like automobile mechanics who needed to learn to drive a car), and officers as "proper" squadron pilots. However, there must be more to it than that? Did the mechanics aspire to become squadron pilots, or were they content to be airborne mechanics?

For example, Tom Mottershead passed his second-class pilot's certificate within three weeks and his first class certificate on 9 June 1916. So, it was still going on in 1916.

Did CFS take pupils through the second-class and first-class stages? Did you get your "Wings" after second-class, or only after first-class?

Also, I have seen reference to only being allowed to hold second-class certificates for 12 months. When was second-class dropped altogether?

What were the requirements for each of the two certificates? What was the original intention of two separate certificates, given that there was already a requirement to have a RAeC certificate?

Any additional information (preferably with appropriate references) will be very much appreciated.

Thank you very much.

[KizmeRD]

By 1916 (even before the adoption of the ‘Gosport System’) simply gaining an RAeC pilots’ certificate (FAI ‘ticket’) was insufficient for Front-line service. Pilots not only needed to prove that they could fly solo (taking off, turning & manoeuvring and landing), but also that they could use their aircraft for military purposes. Therefore after completion of elementary flight training there was a further period of higher training, teaching such things as formation flying, photography & reconnaissance work, gunnery & bombing and aerial combat. Gaining Class One and Two pilots’ certificates were simply key stages in becoming fully qualified RFC pilots.

http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23225&garpg=11

MB

 

Edited 17 July , 2023 by KizmeRD

[KizmeRD]

By way of interest, we can examine the record of Robert James Lillywhite, who enlisted in the RFC 8 Aug 1914 (having obtained his RAeC Certificate No. 720, 1 Jan 1914).

He was born near Chichester 12 April 1893.

He is listed as a 2nd Class Flyer 9 Aug 1914

Advanced to Sgt. Pilot 10.Aug 1914

Listed as a 1st Class Flyer 28 Oct 1914 (presumably on completion of military aviation course).

Sent to Egypt 13 Dec 1914

Transferred to 3 Sqdn. on the Western Front sometime in 1914.

Commissioned 2nd Lt. 27 Sep 1915

Promoted Capt. 1 Sept. 1816

Killed (aircraft accident) Tadcaster 26 November 1916 (aged 23).

As far as I understand it, during the early years of the war, you were only supposed to sew your ‘Wings’ on your uniform after you received your initial appointment to an operational squadron (but training provisions were not yet yet properly standardised, and individual practices often differed).

MB

[dawrana]

Thank you very much for the posts. Case examples are always helpful.

 

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In the meantime, I have identified a couple of useful sources. "NCO Pilots in the RFC/RAF 1912-18" by Wing Commander "Jeff" Jefford, published in RAF Air Power Review #2 Summer 2004. That then refers to TNA WO123/55, a pamphlet entitled Tests for First and Second Class Pilots Certificates for Officers and Men, published with Army Orders for September 1913.

I will post here, if I find a copy.

There is also a useful reference attached here.

Edited 24 July , 2023 by dawrana

[KizmeRD]

So that nails it nicely.

Second Class if all you have is a basic RAeC Certificate.

First Class once you pass the Central Flying School course.

MB

Edited 3 August , 2023 by KizmeRD

[dawrana]

Unfortunately, the pamphlet did not accompany the Army Orders when issued back in 1913.

However, a summary did appear in the Birmingham Mail dated 20 September 1913.

The text is:

MILITARY AVIATION. A War Office pamphlet announces that for the present every candidate for examination for a first-class pilot’s certificate at the Central Flying School must possess a certificate signed by the Commandant, Central Flying School, or the officer commanding the naval or military wing, according to where his training has been carried out, stating that he has been in the air for an adequate number of hours during his training, and has carried out a spiral volplane from height of not less than 1,000 feet some time during his course. The tests at the subsequent examination at the Central Flying School will include a cross-country flight of not less than 40 miles over familiar country, flight on a machine whose normal flying speed is not less than 55 miles hour, for a sufficient length of time to satisfy the Examination Board, adequate knowledge of and ability to impart instruction in the various types of machines, engines, and the instruments mounted on the machines, also (for officers only) adequate knowledge of the following:—Theory of flight, meteorology, theory of internal combustion engines and strength of materials, aerial reconnaissance (including map reading and compasses), and the formation of troops and types of warships. For men, the test will include a knowledge of map reading and use of compass. Warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men, in order to qualify for the grade of second-class pilot, will be required to carry out the tests for the aviator’s certificate of the Royal Aero Club, and to have a knowledge of the following details of the construction of an aeroplane:—General arrangement of the parts of an engine, general method of removing, testing, and re-fitting valves, knowledge of minor defects that may occur, and elementary knowledge of tuning up an aeroplane and of examining it for defects.

Slight correction to KizmeRD's post. Second-class certificate required an RAeC Aviator's Certificate, plus some rudimentary knowledge of aircraft construction, which presumably didn't require a special course, and could be signed-off by the local Commandant? Presumably, easy enough for an Air Mechanic?

If anyone has seen the pamphlet itself, please post the source here, as there isn't a copy in WO123/55 (see attached) at The National Archives.