TESTING PILOTS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21715, 24 February 1936, Page 15

TESTING PILOTS

EXPERIENCE IN BLIND FLfING

AUSTRALIAN REGULATION

(FBOM OUS OWK CORRESPONDENT.)

SYDNEY, January 30.

Australian commercial pilots will probably be the most highly qualified in the world by the end of the year. A new regulation approved by the Civil Aviation Department requires all applicants for commercial pilots' licenses to undergo a test in blind-flying for half an hour in an aeroplane provided for , the purpose by the department. The new regulation is the spear-head of a campaign by the department to raise the standard of piloting and prepare pilots flying on passenger routes for all conditions of flying and all emergencies. Pilots with years of experience behind them, as well as the "fledglings," will be required to undergo the tests. The applicant will be enclosed in a' hood and will be compelled to take off and manoeuvre the machine solely by the instruments. It will be necessary for him to "spin" an aeroplane as never before while flying blind. The announcement caused considerable consternation among many pilots and a good many conflicting views as to the wisdom of the department. However, there was general agreement on one point, namely, that all aeroplanes should be subjected to official tests for spin before pilots were asked to use them for blind-flying tests. It was feared that it might cost each "B" class pilot anything from £3O to £4O to undergo his tests. A prominent commercial pilot, Captain Follett, said he thought the departmental action was a step in the right direction. Most of the present pilots, provided they received instruction, would have no difficulty in passing the 'tests. Blind-flying was a new phase to many pilots, but everybody realised that the standards had to be improved.

Another pilot said that every commercial pilot should know how to get out of a difficulty. Commercial aircraft should be subjected to tests by special pilots equipped with parachutes. Pilots were being tested in Motfis, which everyone knew were free from spin, but all aeroplanes should be tested for spin before they were used by regular pilots. Much was to be said both for and against the department's proposal. However, the time was coming in Australia when there would be services flying day and night, and no doubt the authorities were preparing for it. Several other pilots expressed opposition to the proposals, some saying they would not undergo the tests. All were concerned about the cost of the tests. One prominent official said that proficiency in blind flying was most desirable in the case of commercial pilots, but he did not think it was necessary for private pilots. He had no doubt that most of the pilots would be able to "make the grade."