The Abbeville Boys

Chapter 9: Flight Training

      As Joseph was trying to keep his spirits up, Kurt started flight training in Dresden. In the early morning hours, the trainees ate at the mess hall and assembled in the quad. Each officer went up to their trainee and escorted them to a large training center. It was an old hanger. Captain Berger and Kurt walked over to a corner of the hanger. He took Kurt to a simulator. It looked a lot like the one he practiced on for the gliders. Berger said, “Sit down there and I’ll show you the controls.”

      Kurt sat down, “This looks like what I practiced on in Leipzig.”

      “It probably is but this is different because it has a throttle and flaps.” Berger showed him where they were and how to work them. Berger explained, “It’s different from a glider because the power on takeoff with the FW 44 is about the throttle. You set the flaps at twenty percent and push the throttle all the way forward to take off. As you gain speed pull back slightly on the stick and you’ll start to rise. When you get airborne, put the flaps up and level off. When you get some altitude, you can pull back on the throttle a little. Then, it’s like flying a glider to the point you need power. Push the throttle forward and you’ll fly like a bird. When you’re ready to land it’s different than a glider. You’re not dependent on the wind. Look at the windsock. It’ll tell you how strong the wind is and what direction it’s coming from. You know about the windsock, right?”

      Kurt acknowledged, “Yes sir, it’s angled at the direction of the wind and the stronger the wind the more it’s extended. You take off into the wind which means you fly out of the sock, and you land into the wind.”

      “Yes, good man. As you approach there could be a crosswind. You compensate for it with the rudder. Put the flaps at thirty percent, pull the throttle back as it descends and come down on the beginning of the runway. Keep the stick steady as she touches down. When the wheels hit the ground, cut the throttle and put the flaps up. Push forward on the rudder pedals to brake.  

      After several minutes Kurt looked up, “I think I’ve got it”

      Kurt worked a while demonstrating to the captain, he knew what he was doing. Finally, he told Kurt, “Okay, let’s go take a look at the trainer.”

      They walked out on the flight line and there were other cadets and officers looking at the Focke-Wulf biplane, the 44 J Stieglitz. There were twelve planes and Berger said, “I think you’re ready to go. Some of the other students are going to need more time to get oriented but let’s take one up and see how you do.”

      Kurt was ecstatic. They walked to a nearby hanger and got parachutes, thick flight jackets along with leather flight helmets. Walking back out to the flight line Berger pointed to a 44 J at the end of the line. He began briefing Kurt on the preflight check. They walked around the plane and checked flaps, tires, wings, and the rudder. Berger then helped Kurt put on his parachute. Berger briefed him on what to do if they had to bail out, "If we have to jump, crawl out on the wing and fall. Wait several seconds and pull this ring." He showed Kurt the ring on his chest. He looked at the device and nodded his head everything was alright. They both stood there, and Berger said, “Okay, crawl in the front seat." 

      He then briefed Kurt on the instrument panel. He pointed out the altimeter, the angle of bank, and others. Berger then said, "I’ll get in the back seat. Put on your headset. Anytime I say ‘my plane’ let go of all the controls. Understood?”

      Kurt acknowledged, “Yes sir.”

      Berger crawled in the rear cockpit. The 44J had open air cockpits and they buckled in. They put their headsets on, and Berger said, “Go ahead start her up and call the control tower to taxi to the runway.”

      Kurt toggled a small switch on the left side of the instruments and the plane engine struggled for a second and then came a smooth roar. Kurt sat there holding his foot on the brake and reviving the engine while looking at the gauges and instruments. He then contacted the tower as per instructions, “Trainee nine requesting permission to taxi.”

      The tower replied, “Roger trainee nine taxi to runway four and you are clear for takeoff.”

      Kurt felt comfortable, “Roger tower.”

      The FW 44 taxied to the end of the runway as Kurt set the flaps to twenty percent. He came around the corner of the taxi way onto the main runway and pushed the throttle forward like a veteran pilot. Berger was impressed. He didn’t have to give a word of advice to the newcomer.

      The plane rolled down the runway quickly and he pulled the stick back. The plane rose and Kurt was breathing deep as he took in the view of the ground looking smaller and smaller. The plane flew perfectly under his control. He leveled off at one hundred fifty meters (500 feet). It was fantastic. He could see for miles in every direction. The valleys and forests were breathtaking. Kurt monitored the instruments and gained altitude. Berger didn’t say a thing; the flying was perfect. Kurt said into the headset to Berger, “I’m going to do a barrel roll.”

      Berger acknowledged, “Go ahead. Do whatever you want.”

      With the snap of the stick, he did a barrel roll one time and popped back level. He then decided to do two barrel rolls quickly. The feeling was unbelievable, and Kurt loved it. He then performed a slow high barrel roll. Without informing Berger he pulled back on the stick and brought the plane up and over heading down for the ground. As the plane headed down, he flipped it right side up and continued in the opposite direction.

      Berger, the seasoned pilot, was used to the maneuver, called an Immelmann. He was surprised Kurt knew how to perform it. Kurt danced through the skies, and after an hour of flight time it was time to land. The whole session Berger was comfortable with his flying. Now the part where most new pilots had issues, the landing. Berger became more aware.

      Berger didn’t need to say anything the whole flight but was prepared to take over the plane if needed. Kurt approached the runway controlling the throttle, flaps, and rudder. There was a slight crosswind and he pushed the rudder to compensate. He came down at the beginning of the runway and made a perfect landing, cutting the throttle and bringing the flaps up. Berger was amazed. He’d never seen a young pilot perform so well on his first flight.