1911 Flight Safety/Flying Rules

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I found this while surfing the web.

Mike

Flight Safety

The Provisional Regulations (Foulois, 1911) only devote two pages to Flying Rules. However, they are extremely safety-oriented, as these samples show:

"FLYING RULES.

Never land with the wind blowing from behind the machine, as one is liable to underestimate the additional speed, and be carried into obstructions on the ground, which generally results in a wreck.

Learn to know when the engine sounds right.

Never attempt sensational or dangerous evolutions with the machine while in flight.

Never fly in column with other machines at distances less than 400 yards between machines.

Never fly over towns, villages or cities unless at an altitude sufficiently high to enable the machine to glide clear of the houses. It is much safer to make a detour and avoid the above, and in case the motor stops, the Pilot will have a much better chance of making a safe landing.

In making altitude flights of more than 2000 feet, ascend slowly, and descend slowly. The change of air pressure incident to increasing or decreasing altitudes should be overcome gradually, otherwise a Pilot who is not in good physical condition may become faint, or overcome to such a degree as to lose control of his machine." (p. 20)

Clearly, staying in control and staying safe (and keeping people and property on the ground safe) were the guiding factors behind these rules.