Part 6/12:
Flights with the Snipe typically occurred twice a month during summer. The aircraft’s operation demanded pilots to remain current in flying—periodic checks to ensure their ability to safely operate this delicate and mechanically complex machine.
Maintenance and Operating Costs
Operating the Snipe required careful management of resources, notably the oil, which used about eleven liters per hour (roughly seven pounds fifty per hour), an expense pilots and trusts had to account for. The aircraft's construction materials, primarily Irish linen woven to precise specifications, contributed to its lightweight yet durable design.