In the late 1950s, our aero club was transitioning from Tiger Moths without radio to “cabin class” with the addition of a Tri-Pacer and a C-172A, where the flights were made without headsets using the overhead speaker.
It came that an MK-5 Auster we had been restoring was due for test flying, and our chief flying instructor decided he must make the flight. The Auster duly taxied to the far edge of our all-over field, where it sat for five minutes before returning to the tarmac. The CFI climbed out and stated that he could hardly hear the speaker, and please do not waste his time until it was fixed.
Nothing was really said; we just pointed to the earphones hanging behind his head.
Jim Hammond
via e-mail
