Robert Smith-Barry
Encyclopedia
Robert Raymond Smith-Barry (4 April 1886 – 2 May 1949) was an officer in the Royal Flying Corps
and its successor, the Royal Air Force
. His most notable contribution was in developing flying instruction methods. In December 1916 he masterminded a complete reorganization of flying training methods at Gosport
.
The curriculum combined classroom training and dual flight instruction. Students were not led away from potentially dangerous manoeuvres but deliberately exposed to them in controlled environments so they could learn to recover from errors of judgement.
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
and its successor, the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
. His most notable contribution was in developing flying instruction methods. In December 1916 he masterminded a complete reorganization of flying training methods at Gosport
Gosport
Gosport is a town, district and borough situated on the south coast of England, within the county of Hampshire. It has approximately 80,000 permanent residents with a further 5,000-10,000 during the summer months...
.
The curriculum combined classroom training and dual flight instruction. Students were not led away from potentially dangerous manoeuvres but deliberately exposed to them in controlled environments so they could learn to recover from errors of judgement.