Greetings,

I am a science journalist in the U.S. I am researching an article to be published in a leading aviation magazine on the early history of spinning during the pre-1914 period and World War One. I want to discuss the danger posed to pilots before there was widespread knowledge about the causes of spins and how to recover from them.

There is a large amount of information available on this subject in Britain. I would like to find similar information about pilot experiences and aerodynamic research in Germany related to spins in the same period.


Who was the first German pilot to spin his plane deliberately and survive? When and how did German military pilots learned to master the technique of spinning during the 1914-1918 war?

Did Ludwig Prandtl carried out any research on this subject at Gottingen, or whether any work was carried out at the DVL?

Any suggested for sources to read or aviation historians to contact will be helpful.

Many thanks for your help with my inquiry, and please excuse me for posting this in English.


Evan

Dear Evan,

according to my knowledge the first German Pilot who was mastering a spinning with his airplane was Alfred Friedrich in 1913.

I hope this piece of information is helping you.

Would it also help if you receive information in German language about that?

etrich1909

Thank you very much. I would be very interested to have more information about Alfred Friedrich in German. I have read the Wikipedia.de page about Friedrich, but that is all I have been able to find out. I would much appreciate anything you can send.

Evan

Dear Evan,

you can find further information about Alfred Friedrich via a dedicated "Fliegertruppe" Website at: http://www.flieger-album.de/geschichte/portraits/friedrichalfred.php

etrich1909