area, and in a limited space of
time--be called on to show that he has a full control over a machine
in what may be called the normal conditions of flight. He is asked to
ascend, for instance, and gain a fair flying altitude; then to make
such evolutions as will demonstrate his command over the control
surfaces of the machine; and finally to show that he can, with his
motor switched off, descend accurately in a vol-plane, and bring his
machine to a halt within a specified distance of a mark. The tests are
set forth, officially, as follows:--

_A and B._ Two distance flights, consisting of at least 5 kilometres
(3 miles 185 yards) each in a closed circuit, without touching the
ground; the distance to be measured as described below.

_C._ One altitude flight, during which a height of at least 100 metres
(328 feet) above the point of departure must be attained; the descent
to be made from that height with the motor cut off. The landing must
be made in view of the observers, without re-starting the motor.

The rules drafted by the Club to govern these flights
are set forth herewith:--

The candidate must be alone in the aircraft during the tests.

The course on which the aviator accomplishes tests A and B must be
marked out by two posts situated not more than 500 metres (547 yards)
apart.

The turns round the posts must be made alternately to the right and to
the left, so that the flights will consist of an uninterrupted series
of figures of eight.

The distance flown will be reckoned as if in a straight line between
the two posts.

The alighting after the two distance flights in tests A and B shall be
made:--

(_a_) By stopping the motor at or before the moment of touching the
ground.

(_b_) By bringing the aircraft to rest not more than 50 metres
(164 feet) from a point indicated previously to the candidate.

All alightings must be made in a normal manner, and the observers must
report any irregularity.

These flights as specified to-day, though they present no difficulty
to the pupil who has been well trained, are more stringent than they
were in the first scheme of tests as prescribed by the Club, and as
enforced for several years. In those early rules the distances were
the same as they are to-day, but in the altitude flight the height
required was only 50 metres (164 feet)--just half the height specified
to-day. It was not laid down, either, in the first