~La Brayelle~, Douai.--Breguet school.
~Da motte Brueil dans L'Oise.~
~Le Bourget~, Paris.--100 sheds.
~Le Mans.~
~Moisson.~
~Mourmelon.~--Voisin school.
~Napante.~
~Nice.~--Small and rough surface.
~Pau.~--Bleriot school.
~Reims.~--Aerodrome.
~St. Cyr.~
~Villacoublay~, Paris.--Breguet, Nieuport and Astra schools.
FRENCH AEROPLANES.
~Military Aviation.~
In February, 1912, the then total of 208 effective aeroplanes were
divided into "squadrillas" consisting of eight aeroplanes; attached to
these eleven or twelve motor cars, one traction car and one fast car,
also a repairing car and repairing van.
It was then estimated that at the end of 1912, ~344~ aeroplanes would be
available for service.
The estimated _personnel_ was provisionally fixed at 234 officer pilots,
210 scouts, 42 mechanics, 110 officers, 1,600 corporals or sappers and
550 privates.
Approximately L880,000 was spent in aviation during 1912, and L1,000,000
was estimated for future years.
The French military aviation centres are all upon somewhat the same
footing as fortresses, and the greater part of the work comes under the
head of "confidential." The principal school is at St. Cyr, which was
specially selected because the ground is rough and mostly covered with
small shrubs: it being held important to train officers from the first
to rise and land on ground similar to that most likely to be found in
war time. Each station is supplied with large portable wooden-framed
hangars covered with canvas. These can be rapidly taken to pieces and
re-erected. Each station is supplied with its own special motor
transport.
All military machines are provided with a compass and map case in front
of the pilot and sketching apparatus in front of the observer.
Although a few non-commissioned officers have been taught flying, the
organization only contemplates the employment of commissioned officers
as pilots. The age limit is 38.
On April 16th, 1913, the flying corps was modified. The principal
features of the corps as now existing are as follows:--
~Establishments.~
1. Schools.
2. Special establishments, dealing with purchase, construction, and big
repairs.
3. _Directions._ Administration of _material_.
4. Depots. A species of dockyards dealing with minor repairs, etc.
~Administration.~
There are three main groups, each commanded by a colonel. Each group
consists of dirigibles and aeroplane "escadrilles," and is fully
equipped with establishments, etc. The three centres are:--
1. Versailles.
2. Reims.
3. Lyon.
~General.~
All squadron units are made up of machines of the same make and power.
Pilots are detailed as required to any particular unit, and liable to
transfer from one to another, though in practice such transfers are
rare.
~Army Aeroplanes.~
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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