Undulating flight enables
him to determine speedily the altitude at which he is able to
obtain the clearest views of the country beneath. Moreover,
owing to his speed he is able to complete his task in far less
time than his colleague operating in the dirigible, the result
being that the information placed at the disposal of his superior
officers is more to the moment, and accordingly of greater value.
Reconnoitring by aeroplane may be divided into two broad
categories, which, though correlated to a certain degree, are
distinctive, because each constitutes a specific phase in
military operations. They are known respectively as "tactical"
and "strategical" movements. The first is somewhat limited in
its scope as compared with the latter, and has invariably to be
carried out rapidly, whereas the strategical reconnaissance may
occupy several hours.
The tactical reconnaissance concerns the corps or divisional
commander to which the warplane is attached, and consequently its
task is confined to the observation of the line immediately
facing the particular corps or division. The aviator does not
necessarily penetrate beyond the lines of the enemy, but, as a
rule limits his flight to some distance from his outermost
defences.
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