It is an honour, a privilege and a pleasure to deliver the Inaugural Lecture of the Test Pilots’ Group. It is encouraging to see such strong support for this function and on looking round it is only too apparent that there are many more able and deserving pilots present to deliver this lecture.

It is perhaps appropriate, first, to say a few words about the Group itself.

On the 28th November 1963 the Council unanimously approved the formation of a Test Pilots’ Group within the Society. The aim of the Group is The general advancement of aeronautical knowledge in the test flying field. It is hoped that through the Group the test pilot will be able to make a worthwhile contribution to the objects and purposes of the Society, at the same time advancing his own professional knowledge and standing.