British Military Aviation in 1931

3 January
Intelligence indicates that Sheikh Mahmud plans to attack police posts in Halebja Plain.

5-6 January
No.30 Squadron locates and attacks rebel Kurdish horsemen near Muan.

9 January
Sheikh Mahmud captures the police post at Khurmal.

13 May
Sheikh Mahmud, the rebel leader of the Kurds in Iraq surrenders following air action against his
tribesmen.

13 September
The Schneider Trophy is won outright, for the Royal Air Force, by Flight Lieutenant J.N. Boothman flying a Supermarine S6B seaplane at an average speed of 340mph.

This third victory enables the Royal Air Force to permanently retain the Schneider Trophy. The trophy, and the S6B in which it was won for the final time, are now in the collection of the Science Museum.

29 September
Flight Lieutenant G.H. Stainforth sets a new world speed record, breaking the 400mph barrier. The flight, in a Supermarine S6B, reaches 654kph (406mph) and takes place at Ryde on the Isle of Wight.

27-28 October
A non-stop flight from Cranwell in Lincolnshire to Abu Sueir in Egypt, in a Fairey Long Range Monoplane is crewed by Squadron Leader O.R. Gayford and Flight Lieutenant D.L.G. Bett over a distance of 4,600 kilometres (2,857 miles).

December
An aerial survey of British Somaliland begins. The survey will cover 3,000 square miles and be completed in March 1933.