ENGINE TROUBLE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 293, 30 August 1918, Page 6

ENGINE TROUBLE

THE AIR-MECHANIC'S PART (By Corporal Mechanic.) Air-mechanics arc not subject to tha lighting risks of pilots and observers, but tboy often go into the air on test) flights. Tims, two factors tend Uj make the air-mec'hanie a very thorougu workman: (1) The complete training ]jo receives in the R.A.1 ,, . Technical School; (2) the fact that he may at any time stake his own life, as well'as the lives. of others, upon the soundness of his own work.

An aeroplano lands and taxies up to tho hangars. "Engine going all upside-down—drops her revs, as soon as 1 climb," says the pilot

"Right, sir," and Air-mechanic Jones starts his job with every confidenco uhat there is nothing he does nob know about an aero-engine.

It may be a slight defect needing only half an hour to jvifc right, or a, long job demanding all-night work; tho air-mechanics are its masters in anv ease, and when the pilot returns with his terse "0.K." he expects nothing but a "Yes, sir," from the mechanic; and the mechanic on his part is not afraid of the pilot's "Right, wo'll give her a trial."

The engine turns over at her full revolutions, and both Air-mechanio Jones and tho pilot are being driven across the aerodrome at 50 or CO miles an hour; then a huge lift and the engine takes them oft' the earth with a- bound; she is running sweetly, and soon they are 10,000 feet above their aerodrome. Jones looks below, and thanks the instructors who taught- him to make a really first-class job of everything he does in connection with those engines that.are to work far above the clouds.

A moment later the engine is cub out and the nose of the machine is down in a steep drive—9, 8, 7, 6000 feet—now in a spiral 4, 3, 2000 feet; then a flatten-out, another steep dive, another flatten-out, and now a final dive for the aerodrome, and a "posh" landing light as a feather, and without a single bounce. The aeroplane is taxied to the hangar, the satisfied pilot alights, and Air-mechanic Jones takes a final look over his engine before ha gets the machine into line with her sister 'planes awaiting .the work which, for them, is nig.it flying. Later on it is: "Contact, sir!" A healthy swing of the propeller, and the mechanic sees his machine climb into the mysterious night with a load of bombs for' Hunland. That is how the "props" are kepti going round.