Hazards Galore (continued)

1. Can I get through to the target without risk of being forced down or lost on account of bad weather conditions?


2. Can I identify the target on arrival?


3. Will weather conditions permit my landing at base on return? If not, are there any alternative aerodromes nearby where landing conditions will be favourable?


4. What bomb and fuel loads should I take? (This will depend largely on the winds and the weather encountered on the flight.)


5. How should I plan my attack to take the greatest advantage of any cloud over the target?

The wise pilot knew that gambling with the weather could be an excellent form of suicide. He was careful to remember that if he was flying towards a region of lower pressure, his aircraft would actually be descending; and if towards a region of higher pressure, it would be ascending. He must never forget that the altimeter does not measure the height of the aircraft above the earth immediately beneath it, but actually measures the height above sea level, regardless of the height of the land immediately beneath his plane. For instance, when he is above a 5,000 foot mountain top, his altimeter shows the same reading as when he is flying at that height above sea level anywhere.

Many younger pilots were inclined to be a little casual about meteorological conditions until they learned from experience. Lectures were given to trainees at elementary flying training schools.

Squadron-Leader A. C. (Arthur) White, MC, a big genial man, used to squeeze into the observer seat of a Tiger Moth at Mascot, and be flown to Richmond to give such lectures to the RAAF aircrews.

Bureau of Meteorology