The Canadian Aviation Moments were submitted by Dennis Casper from the Roland Groome (Regina) Chapter of the CAHS. Spoiler alert - if you read any further than each question, you will find the answer to the questions directly below. Good luck and have fun!
The Canadian Aviation Moments questions and answers for January are:
Question: Why did the 1936-1944 RAF/RCAF (Royal Air Force/Royal Canadian Air Force) flying training sequence of instruction state that aerobatics were prohibited when Tiger Moths were set up for night flying?
Answer: “The reason for this was the battery providing power to the lights was situated on the floor of the front cockpit, immediately in front of the control column. This meant that any undue maneuvers would slop battery acid around, making the instructor quite uncomfortable.”
Source: CAHS Journal – Spring 2010 – Letters – Page 5
Question: What personnel in the RCAF were under-appreciated by the general population during World War II?
Answer: “It is generally conceded that during World War II, it took ten persons on the ground to keep one person in the air. The general population has under-appreciated those who worked tirelessly to keep the air-craft flying in all capacities as the ‘glory’ was directed to the aircraft flying crews. The ground staff deserves more recognition by historians. Their training was just as rigorous as was the aircrew’s. Ground staff consisted of everything from engine mechanics (fitters) to airframe riggers, instrument fitters, administration, armourers, vehicle mechanics, drivers, cook, service police and other various trades and occupations.”
Source: CAHS Journal – Spring 2010 – Page 16
Question: During its five-year life, the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan involved how many schools and units and how many sites (not including relief fields)? What percentage of the pilots, navigators, bomb aimers, air gunners, and wireless operators of the Commonwealth Air Forces were trained under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan?
Answer: “During its five year life, The Plan involved 360 units and schools at approximately 230 sites not including relief airfields. Canada had virtually unlimited space, good flying conditions and was a safe distance from the conflict in Europe. It was one of the largest aviation-training programs in history and was responsible for training nearly half the pilots, navigators, bomb aimers, air gunners, and wireless operations of the Commonwealth Air Forces.”
Source: CAHS JOURNAL – Spring 2010 – Page 16