The ATA's Distinctive Ethos

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 The esprit de corps of the ATA was compared to that of a "crack squadron in the RAF," yet the atmosphere was very different. It started with contempt for 'bumpf," aversion to drill, and rebelliousness against uniforms. The situation might have been dangerous and disastrous had it not been balanced by dedication to duty, self-discipline, and maturity. 

 

One defining characteristic of the ATA's work ethos was tolerance and respect for the eccentricity and of other members. There was no pressure to conform in the ATA; rather, non-conformists set the tone, and the ATA prided itself on being a collection of individualists. Yet while there was no official or formal "Code of Conduct," this was because none was necessary. The merest hint that behaviour had been 'inappropriate' and could lead to dismissal was enough to induce corrective action. Women pilots who flew with the ATA particularly stressed that it was a very "civilised organisation."

Another characteristic was self-reliance. The nature of the work in which most pilots flew completely independently (with the exception of the largest bombers that required a flight engineer) meant that pilots of the ATA worked independently. They made their own flight plans, they flew even medium bombers alone, and they made their own decisions once underway. Pilots of the ATA could literally take off and land when and where they pleased. Given this carte blanche, it is astonishing how rare the instances of abuse are. Pilots who did abuse their privileges were soon weeded out. 

The aspect of the  ATA most annoying to the RAF was the tendency for orders to be obeyed only if the recipients found them sensible. Apparently, in most cases -- or wherever it really mattered -- they did find orders reasonable.  But while Service pilots chaffed under orders they found 'unreasonable' but did what they were told, the ATA just ignored 'unreasonable' orders -- and got away with it.

For example, orders to salute senior officers were blissfully ignored, particularly since, as one woman pilot pointed out, they were never taught how to salute in the first place! Standing orders not to smoke in aircraft were tenaciously ignored by the tobacco addicts.  Particularly common was a tendency not to wear uniforms in strict accordance with regulations. Thus, many male pilots wore their service caps at odd angles, while women pilots preferred natural coloured silk stockings to black cotton ones and some favoured silk scarves over flying helmets. Yet there was almost no dare-devilry, recklessness or simple irresponsibility on the part of ATA pilots. In short, the discipline was real -- it was simply internal rather than external.

While incidents of ignoring ATA 'minimum flight requirements' are also legion, veterans of the ATA stress that no one was ever criticised for turning back either; the ethos of the ATA was to respect every pilot's decision with respect to flight safety. Furthermore, there is very little evidence of dare-devilry, recklessness or simple irresponsibility on the part of ATA pilots. In short, the discipline was real -- it was simply internal rather than external. 

This was possible largely because the ATA's corporate culture had been created by the early pilots. These were not barnstormers or circus pilots, but mature, dependable and conscientious men and women. Many came to the ATA from positions of authority as bank directors and factory owners. These elderly civilian fliers brought to the ATA a sense of self-reliance and self-confidence that despised bravado and 'line-shooting.'  They set the tone for those that came after. For the women pilots came the added determination to prove themselves reliable colleagues. 

The fundamental factor underlying all aspects of the ATA's ethos was maturity. It was maturity that ensured privileges were not abused, that colleagues and their decisions were respected, and that there was no excessive risk-taking or competition. The ATA's early pilots had been mature, and those that followed them were expected to behave like adults not school-children; it was assumed that no member of the ATA needed harsh discipline or constant oversight to ensure safe flying and respect for one another. The atmosphere created was ideal for circumstances but not easily replicated.

A former ATA woman pilot is one of the leading female protagonists in the Bridge to Tomorrow Trilogy about the Berlin Airlift.  Find out more about the series at: https://helenapschrader.net/bridge-to-tomorrow/

Watch a video teaser here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7rS_Mwy3TU 

                                      

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