Does anyone know when the multi-engine rating was created? or from another standpoint whether an ordinary 'A' licence in the Thirties would have allowed pilotage of twin-engined aircraft without any further endorsements?
thanks
Skua
"The Class "A" Licence is for the private individual who wishes to fly for pleasure or for his own business purposes. It entitles the holder to FLY ANY TYPE OF AIRCRAFT in almost any country, and allows him to carry passengers, and even goods, provided he does so without charge or personal remuneration." (The Encyclopedia of Aviation 1935)
From that it seems there was no requirement for twin or even night ratings.
The flight test consisted of:
Test A. "The candidate must fly the machine to a height of not less than 2,000' before throttling down. During the descent the engine must be kept throttled down and a landing effected, without the use of the engine, within 150 yds os a spot previously fixed by the Official Observer.
Test B. " The candidate must fly at a height of not more than 600' around two marks 500 yds apart. In so doing the candidate must make a series of 5 figure-of-eight turns, each turn reaching one of the marks and being alternately to the right and to the left. A landing must then be effected by throttling down the engine before touching the ground, and then stopping within 50 yds of a point previously chosen by the candidate. (How to Become an Air Pilot 1938)