I heard of the Aviators Rule courtesy of Heinlein as well, only it had to do with a story from one of the compilations that were published towards the end of his carrer.
IIRC he was standing radio watch on a carrier, early 30s during a fleet exercise when a flight of planes could not find home. Apparently the flight leader was following the Avaitors Rule in order to get a bearing home.
I suspect that this is one of those hoary old sayings whose origin will probably never be pinned down.
BTW ol RAH was a Kansas City native mostly. Born in Butler Mo and moved to KC at an early age, graduated from Central High School around 1921 and then went to Annaplois.
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
I read that story. The aviators were reading "the back of the loop", and so traveled at right angles to the loop bearing to see if the loop angle closed to port or stargboard (left of right hand side). Turned out they were too far away to get back by dark as I recall. No VHF radio direction finding, only MF, so they couldn't find the ship after dark unless they saw the searchlights.
As I recall these were float planes because they put down in the water. Don't recall Navy amphibs used on carriers about 1934, maybe Alpha6 knows.