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In the early days, JG300 pilot checkrides were a dangerous affair. The same modified-for-unlimited-air-racing frame was used as it was felt that prospective JG300 pilots should be required to handle the clipped wings and minimal control surfaces that often arise in combat-damage aircraft. In this version, notice the interrupted airflow over the rudder and elevators induced by the pilot himself. The clipped wings insured a minimal of drag, but turn performance suffered along with lift, this model being noted for exceptionally high wing loading. The only concession to the neophyte pilot was the large and wide landing gear, which would at first appear to offer too much drag to permit fighter/racer performance, but it was later realized that a much bigger prop could be fitted and still have adequate ground clearance. The model was never upgraded to retractable undercarriage, but wheel pants were subsequently installed, these being either corduroy or over-length denim with turned up cuffs to accommodate standard flying boots (P.F. Flyer black Hi-tops with white soles). The jackets were the puffiest things that the cockpit would accommodate, generally giving the effect of a Chinese soldier dressed as the Michelin Man...the flight cap was required by the flight surgeon lest the flyer "catch their death of cold".

And it's just as valid a training regimen today as it was back then. As the would-be Saunen progressed through the various stages of flight training the design proved to be effective and flexible; Early stages emphasizing the development of smooth and coordinated control input were learned quickly due to the highly limited movement available in the tiny cockpit, making erratic and wild ham-handed gestures on the controls almost impossible, as the pilot was essentially "straitjacketed" by the ingeniously designed flight deck (a concept that later paid dividends when the task of keeping pilots on active flying duty required creative solutions). The inability to use charts or other navaids due to lack of room to open a map or to even really see the instrument panel, at all, encouraged development of "Dead reckoning" navigational skills (an all-too-accurate term for the more porcine cadets) and development of seat-of-the-pants flying abilities so desirable when the aim is to develop a fighting force that can react on pure instinct and even unbridled fury - the latter largely due to lack of any environmental amenities such as heaters or oxygen masks - as opposed to today's focus on developing troublesome and bothersome "reasoning and intelligence" skill sets which ultimately only act as a yoke around the neck of the hard working and dedicated flight leader who knows what is best for the gruppen.

Anything beyond a compass is just clutter to a real pilot. And when the AO is from the backyard fence to the end of the driveway and no further up the street than the Henderson's mailbox, how far wrong can you go? Besides, instrument dependency detracts from that "seat of the pants" flying skill so valued in JG300 pilots.

Ya'know, as I get all misty-eyed and study that picture recalling the fond memories and hysterical screaming of the cadets, I can't help but notice the lack of the usual tether attachment on the left wingtip that the restraining cable from the control tower connected to. I know there were a few pilots that we "cut loose" from the circular training circuit in a literal sense but I was under the impression that most all aircraft were recovered and hosed off. I remember we did have one "runaway" one time that seemed to take an excessively long time to track down. This stands out because shortly after that we realized we always had at least one extra cadet that we couldn't assign a plane to, so we had extra manpower to put on latrine duty, and as a result the officer's terlet usually seemed to be slightly less horrifically disgusting than normal after that point.

You don't suppose....we might have us a rogue pilot out there, do ya?

- JG300-Stoopy

You don't suppose....we might have us a rogue pilot out there, do ya?

I figure it's more like 12-14.

- JG300-Ascout

I figure it's more like 12-14.

Hmmm good point. I shoulda figured something was up when I signed those blank leave slips...