The Act included various prohibited flying areas, mostly in the neighborhood of arsenals, munition factories, and naval dockyards, or similar military areas.
Certain conditions were imposed on aircraft landing in this country from abroad, as that the person in charge of the aircraft, before commencing a voyage to the United Kingdom, must apply for a clearance to a duly authorized British Consular Officer. He must make a written application, which states clearly the name and registered number of the craft; the type, the name, nationality, and the place of residence of the owner or person in charge, and of every member of the crew; and the name, profession, nationality and place of residence of every passenger (if any), the nature of the cargo (if any), the approximate time of departure, place of departure, the intended landing-place in the United Kingdom, the proposed destination, and the object of the voyage.
Having settled the matters of procedure, it was further added that “no person in any aircraft entering the United Kingdom should carry, or allow to be carried, in the aircraft, any goods, the importation of which is prohibited by the laws relating to customs; any goods chargeable upon importation into the United Kingdom with any duty or customs, except such small quantities as have been placed on board at the place of departure, as being necessary for the use during the voyage of the persons conveyed therein, any photographic apparatus, carrier or homing pigeons, explosives or firearms, or any mails.”
On the return journey the aircraft is not permitted to leave unless there be at least one British representative, approved by the authorized officer, on board. No photographic or wireless apparatus, etc., shall be carried, and no mails.
Foreign, naval, or military aircraft must not pass over, nor land within any port of the United Kingdom, nor the territorial waters thereof, except on the express invitation, or with the express permission, previously obtained, of His Majesty’s Government.
None of the foregoing orders applies to naval or military aircraft, belonging to, or employed in the service of His Majesty.
[CHAPTER XXV]
AERIAL COMBAT
With every combat in mid-air some new theory is set up, some new conclusion arrived at, and as yet nothing can be definite. We may say for practical purposes that the strategical work is confined to seaplane and airship-scouting with the fleets at sea, and long-distance aeroplane raids into the enemy’s country; tactical work to reconnaissance trips over the neighborhood of the lines and the direction of artillery fire. The battle formation of the aeroplane squadron is now, and will in the future be similar to that of a fleet at sea. Even now the two methods of battle are closely akin.