From the pilot's point of view the requirements on the two occasions are entirely separate. The technical visitors are not necessarily interested in a show of piloting skill but appreciate more the presentation of an aircraft's performance, such as short take-off run, rate of climb or acceleration, rate of roll, manoeuvrability and high or low speed handling. The public days require a different approach in that the average visitor will probably not fully appreciate the advantage of many of the above manoeuvres and will not, for example, be excited by a short take-off or landing run. Such days are an occasion more for display both of the aircraft and pilot in aerobatics and dashing manoeuvres. For this reason the public days are popular with pilots and also, being at the end of the week, they have fallen well 'into the groove' and their timing and positioning should be at its best.
    In a demonstration flight of this nature there are several important factors which make or mar a display. The pilot must obviously know his machine and its capabilities to the finest degree. The low level at which aerobatics are carried out leaves small margin for error and hours should be occupied with practice, at a safe height, perfecting manoeuvres and finding, for example, the right speed needed for loops and the minimum height required in the looping plane to carry out the performance in case of low cloud. A carefully practiced routine is essential in order that not a second of the very limited available display time is wasted.
    Aerobatic manoeuvres should be planned beforehand so that one manoeuvre leads into, and positions the aircraft for, another and a neat and varied sequence results. Whilst a practiced routine should invariably be used as the basis of a display, the event should be elastic. The pilot should be able to revise his programme in view of prevailing weather conditions in order to avoid poor positioning due to the presence of low cloud. The placing of various manoeuvres should be done correctly, before the centre of the crowd. The sun is an important item and display into sun or up sun, from the spectators, should be avoided. The wind direction can cause a ragged performance if manoeuvres are carried out across a strong wind when drift will occur and lead to bad placing or untidy results. So far as possible it is preferable and neater to carry out the display up and down an imaginary line in front of the spectators or up and down a runway if available, using it as a positioning line.
    Fast low level runs attain maximum effect with a longish, straight and low run-in parallel with the spectators and approximately fifty yards out. It may be of interest to know that during these fast runs at well in excess of 700 mph the pilot is not unobservant of details. As an example, in this year's SBAC display I observed during the first fast run in the Hunter variant a photographer standing directly in the line of flight. A few minutes later during the second fast run the same body was in the same place, presumably preparing to take a further photograph. This time, however, whilst at range he lowered his camera, stood his ground for a short while and then ran as I closed with him, tripping over and rolling all of a heap in his rush to get out of my way.
    It makes for a more polished display if each manoeuvre is clearly finished and a slight pause made before entering into another, eg after a slow roll the aircraft should be held level, if only for a second or two, before going into a turn or some other aerobatic. As a general rule it is poor flying to perform over the heads of the crowd for obvious reasons of hazard, besides being somewhat 'neck-breaking' for them. It is bad showmanship, too, to fly behind the observers or be obscured by buildings. A display should be easily and comfortably seen by the majority and the aircraft kept in their sight the whole time if possible. High speeds make it difficult to avoid disappearing from view occasionally but every effort should be made to keep 'local'.
    In few other forms of display is the maxim 'practice makes perfect' more pertinent and hard conscientious training is essential. Assuredly it will be seen that display flying can become an art giving equal pleasure and satisfaction to pilot and audience alike.