Preliminary training for Atlantic and Empire services . Following the desision approving the start of the Atlantic survey flights next year and commencement of an experimental air mail service shortly after , Imperial Airways pilots are receiving flying boat instruction at Hamble , Hampshire , flying school . They receive a certain number of hours preliminary training on the Cutty Sark light amphibion boats and then a number of hours on multi engined machines simielar to those being used on th Empire routes . Imperial Airways has handed over to pupils the pupils a SHort Calcutta flying boat for their training . Photo shows , Imperial airways pilots walking down to the flying boats at Hamble for instruction . Left to right , Chief instructor Flight Lieutenant C D , Middleton , Captain B S Allcookson , a senior Imperial Airways pilot , Assistant instructor flight lieutenant F C Pascoe and flight officer E Dothsram Imperial airways pilot . 4 December 1935