| There have always been a keen interest from people | | | | entertainment. |
| on the military pilots. So I thought of writing this | | | | We need to jump forward to 1909. |
| article about the formation of the Royal Air Force | | | | Flying was slow to start in England being confined to |
| (RAF) and the first RAF Pilots. | | | | a few individuals with little government support. This |
| The desire to fly like a bird goes back many | | | | changed when Louis Bleriot flew his monoplane |
| centuries and is reflected in the many myths of flying | | | | across the channel in July 1909. The first British Pilot's |
| dragons and flying horses such as Pegasus. There has | | | | Licence was issued to Moore -Brabazonafter he won |
| always been a magic about the very idea of flying | | | | the daily Mail prize for flying a circular flight of one |
| and that magic is linked to the way all men and | | | | mile in his Short Biplane. |
| women look up at the sky, particularly when the | | | | The army were the first to recognise the potential |
| stars are there, and wonder. | | | | of aircraft for reconnaissance purposes and the |
| RAF pilots experience that wonder every time they | | | | Royal Flying Corps (RFC) came into being. The initial |
| sit in their aeroplane, increase the power, and begin | | | | plans were to form a unified air service but old |
| the take - off run. | | | | service rivalries prevented this so the Navy had their |
| So how did it all begin? | | | | own air arm The Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). |
| The first known form of Military Air Power was in | | | | Throughout the First World War (1914-1918) the two |
| China as early as 200 BC when General Han Hsin used | | | | services operated separately. On 1st April 1918 the |
| a man kite to calculate the distance between his | | | | two services were joined to become The Royal Air |
| army and the opposing forces. Chinese forces used | | | | Force (RAF) thus the RAF pilot was born. |
| kites to pass signals and may have used them as | | | | In the early days the RAF Pilot had to contend with |
| bomb carriers.The explorer Marco Polo, when in | | | | antiquated aircraft and a constantly changing |
| Cathay in the 14th century told of seafarers tying | | | | administration. The government lacked enthusiasm for |
| unwilling people to large tethered kites. If they flew | | | | Air Power but appointed General Sir Hugh Trenchard |
| well it indicated a successful voyage. Man carrying | | | | as Chief of the Air Staff. He set the very high |
| kites were also used in Japan in the 19th century. | | | | standards for RAF Pilots that continue to-day, |
| In Europe bomb laden kites appear in sketches about | | | | however, he resigned shortly after. Sir Hugh |
| 1326 AD. The dream of flight started to have some | | | | Trenchard was later reappointed by Churchill and |
| practical realisation with the advent of ballooning in | | | | went on to be called the Father of The Royal Air |
| France where it developed as a sport and for | | | | Force. The training of an RAF Pilot is second to none. |