Description
One of the most capable and popular men at Hendon was Mr. Lewis W. F. Turner. For long he was one of the regular competitors in the weekly flying meetings, and every day he could be seen giving instruction to numerous pupils. Although not a ” star ” flyer, he was one of the most experienced and seasoned of aviators, with a thorough knowledge of the mechanics of motor and machine. Since early in 1911
Mr. Lewis Turner had the distinction of being the first Englishman to take his certificate under the more stringent regulations and tests imposed by the International Aeronautical Federation in the spring of 1911, and soon afterwards he went out to Russia as chief pilot of the Kennedy Aviation School, St. Petersburg. His winter’s flying in Russia gave him valuable and interesting experience. On returning to England he was appointed chief instructor at the ” Valkyrie ” School, and then at the Grahame-White School, which he later left for Mr. Ewen’s School. He had flown on numerous types of machines and had had a number of minor accidents and adventures.
In competitions in 1911 Mr. Lewis Turner gained eleven firsts, nine seconds, and twelve thirds, and he won every bomb-dropping contest at Hendon. It was suggested that his initials (L.W.F.T.) stood for ” Lewis will fly to-day “, as he flew any machine in any weather.
