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GREAT BRITAIN—THE ROYAL AIR FORCE Methods of Entry.—There are three methods of entry into the general duties branch : (i.) By passing through Cranwell Cadet college by means of a competitive examination similar to Sand hurst and Woolwich. The course lasts two years and the training is on lines similar to Sandhurst and Woolwich. In addition, the flight-cadet receives training in the elements of engineering and is taught to fly a service aeroplane. As physical fitness is an essential for efficient piloting, the closest attention is given to athletics. (ii.) By direct entry of university candidates similar to the army system. (iii.) By obtaining a short service commis sion of five years' duration, offered to candidates between the ages of 18 and 3o. On appointment, these officers are posted direct to a flying training school to undergo a 12 months' course, which includes training in discipline, administration, aero engines, meteorology, navigation, armament, signals and photography. In addition, they are taught to fly a service aeroplane.

Training.---On

leaving Cranwell on first commissioning, the young officer is posted to a service unit for four to five years, during which he carries out his duties as a pilot. At the end of this time he is expected to specialize in one of the several branches, and along one of these channels he looks for promo tion. An officer who does not specialize has little prospect, if any, of promotion above the rank of squadron leader. Flying is carried out as an essential part of normal duties. On successfully passing out of the flying training school short-service commission officers are confirmed in their rank and posted to service units for four years. At the end of their five years' engagement they are transferred to the reserve for a further four years, during which they undergo periodical training in flying. Those who remain efficient may have their reserve service extended, four years at a time, up to the age of 4o.

The Air Force Staff College, situated at Andover, is for train ing officers in staff duties. Entry is made by selection from suc

cessful candidates after a qualifying examination. The course lasts one year.

General Training.—R.A.F. officers undergo various courses of instruction, one of the most important being the engineering course. This starts with a period of two years at the home air craft depot at Hendon, followed, in some cases, by a two years' course at Cambridge. A few of the most successful are selected to undergo a final course of i o months at the Imperial college. Other courses are for wireless at Flower Down; armament at Eastchurch ; photography at Farnborough ; navigation at Calshot.

Aviation in the United States is in three distinct branches, the army, the navy and the post office air mail services. The army air service is administered by the office of the chief of the air service, who is a subordinate of the chief of staff. There are two methods of entry to commissioned rank: (i.) direct entry through West Point or by competitive examination from civil life; (ii.) by transfer from another arm of the army. Other ranks are obtained by voluntary enlistment. The army air service training establishments are under the training division, which embraces schools for primary flying, advanced flying, mechanics, communi cation, photography, tactics, engineering, flight surgeons, balloons and airships. Officers on joining pass through the primary and advanced flying schools, of ter which they are available for duty in a unit as pilots. There is no specified duration for the courses. To become an observer, an officer must first qualify as a pilot. Technical training is carried out at the technical school group (mechanics, communications and photography), where there are numerous courses of varying duration for the specialist trades required. The higher technical training of officers is carried out at the engineering division, McCook Field, Dayton.