مجموعة ٥/٧٣ "سلاح الجو الأفغاني: تقارير" [و‎‎١‎٨‎٢] (٤٣١/٣٦٣)

2
Appendix "A" to this report gives the number and condition of
aircraft, and the number of trained or partly trained pilots in
the Afghan Air Force on the 31st July, 1941.
2. HIND SQUADRONS .
(a) F lying Hours.
There has been an increase over last quarter due to better
weather. The average number of flying hours has been one hour
per pilot per week. These have all been short training flights
near Kabul, and no Hind aircraft have left Kabul on long distance
training flights.
(b) Operations.
It has now been discovered that the three Hind aircraft which
carried out reconnaissance flights over the Kunar area between the
27th March and the 3rd April must have fired some ammunition as
empty cases have been found in the aircraft by the British instruct
ors. No operations have been carried out during the quarter under
report, but nine aircraft have been "standing by" since the beginn-
they
ing of July and it is under stood/are to proceed to Jalalabad if
required. It is thought that this move is connected with a
possible recrudescence of Mohmand unrest in the Kunar valley.
(c) Standard of Flying Efficiency .
Little effort has been made to increase the flying efficiency
of the individual pilot. This is due to the lack of drive and
initiative on the part of the squadron commanders.
Some of the pilots are never likely jto become efficient ov/ing to
age and the lack of courage and initiative.
Practice in formation flying has been the dominant feature, but no
other serious training has been carried out.
(d) Accidents .
The following accidents occurred during the quarters-
(i) At Paghman when the British pilot instructor force landed
owing to the engine cutting out.
(ii) At Khwaja Rawash when an aircraft turned over due to a bad
landing by an Afghan pilot.