In December 1953, a Canberra of the Royal Air Force Flying College was christened Aries IV, and thus became the first jet aircraft to bear this name, long associated with navigation development flights. This paper describes the first operational mission of Aries IV, an attempt on the F.A.I, point-to-point record for the London–Capetown route, in both directions.

The flight was originally planned as a final long-range exercise for students of the College, but since a great deal of practice had already been gained in maximum range cruise techniques it was decided instead to concentrate on the more complex problem of covering the distance in the minimum time. To add incentive, permission was sought and granted for the flight to be officially timed by Royal Aero Club observers.

Two crews were chosen, one for the outward and one for the homeward legs, each consisting of one pilot and two navigators. A two-man navigation team is rather lavish for ordinary route flying, but was adopted in this case to give experience to as many students as possible; in addition it resulted in faster astro work and more continuous map-reading, and gave a foretaste of the working conditions to be expected on arctic flights where a two-man team is thought to be necessary.