(as learned from reading two WWI pilot accounts)
Keep the sun behind you if at all possible so the enemy can't see you coming.
If your engine acts up upon take off, land immediately. Trying to push it by turning back will end way worse.
Keep the heights. It's easier (and safer) to dive than climb.
Try not to think about how you might literally die at any point multiple times a day. Just party with your buddies on your off-time and make the best of it.
Being outnumbered is generally not a good thing, but if you attack, commit and make it count.
Landing in a wheat field may look safe but that crap will clog up your propeller and flip your plane. Planes suck as lawnmowers.
Your enemy is just as scared as you are.
Communication is key -- if you see an enemy, rock your wings or wiggle parts of your plane to alert your friends.
If you have to emergency-land away from your aerodrome, try to land near a nice French house in the countryside with nice people who will spoil you.
Shoot your guns every now and then so they don't freeze up.
Some things can only be learned through trial and error, and some mistakes you don't live to make again.
It may be warm on the ground, but you will freeze your butt off at 20,000+ feet. Layer up and smear whale fat on your face to prevent frostbite.
People think you're a rockstar, but remember that your job has a higher mortality rate than everybody else's. You still look cool af though.
Know what motivates you. Revenge. Idealism. Adventure. Whatever it is, make sure it keeps you going.
Just because the enemy has superior equipment, doesn't mean he's invincible.
Adopt cute mascots along the way.
Looking around for enemies whilst in an open cockpit has a really limited range of motion, so good luck with that.
Spinning leads to more spinning which leads to inevitable death. Don't spin unless you can absolutely control it.
When they hear a plane, soldiers in the trenches are ordered to freeze in position in order to keep from being seen from above. You can't see them from that high up anyway, but they probably won't believe you.
If the weather is bad, you'll probably get the day off.
Getting drunk and smashing stuff at bars is actually part of the experience, because it keeps your mind off, y'know, death.
Operate heavy machinery with your knees whenever you need to.
Your machine gun will inevitably jam. A lot. You're going to have to stand up while flying and hit with a hammer until it works again.
You won't be given a parachute because the higher ups think you won't fight as hard if you have one. Try not to get shot down and plummet thousands of feet to the ground. Or go up in flames. Everything is really flammable, including you, because you're covered in motor oil that the engine spits back on you.
Seriously, don't think too hard about it all.
jimmyeatworldofficial
titsay
turnnoffyourmind
origamiaround
yousharknotpass
