FLYING FITNESS

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 July 1935, Page 14

FLYING FITNESS

WHAT IS REQUIRED TO-DAY. Major C. C. Turner, “Daily Telegraph” Air Correspondent, writes: — Although it has been necessary recently to accept m ore ocers, cadets, and aircraftmen for the Air Force, there has been not the slightest abatement of the high physical standords required. Nor will the vast increase now to be made cause anxiety. A total of some 22,500 new personnel, however, will be no easy matter to arrange, for it probably means applications from nearly four times that number. Candidates in all divisions have at all limes, so greatly exceeded the desired intake that many men possessing the necessary qualifications have failed to get in. The medical tests are extraordinarily strict and elaborate. Ordinary flying, it is true, calls for no very high standard, and candidates for the civilian “A” licence are accepted on production of a form issued by the Air Ministry and filled in and signed by the candidate’s own doctor. The “R” certificate, on the other hand, demands a very high standard, although not so strict as that imposed on those whose training will tost the Stalo a lot of money, which must not bo wasted on unlikely candidates. Nor is it desirable to waste the time of those who may be regarded as “doubtful” cases. Besides the ordinary medical tests, there are many with a specific bearing on aptitude for flight. To take one of these at random —a candidate is seated in what might be a dentist’s chair. To the imaginative it might suggest, something even more sinister!

The pulse and blood pressure of the candidate are noted, and then he and the chair are spun round 10 times in 20 seconds, and pulse and pressure are again recorded. This is not a test invariably applied. but if there should happen to be the shadow of a doubt as to a candidate's ability to endure aerobatics, it serves as a check on a dozen other reports relating to him. Naturally enough, the candidate is rather anxious just before such an erdeal; but afterwards, feeling none the worse for it, he is smiling. So are the examiners. The candidate senses encouragement. After all, and quite apart from the matter at issue, the successful passing of the AitForce medical tests is a guarantee almost of physical perfection. MINUTE TESTS. All intended for flying duties must be fit for flying overseas as well as at home, and even those who are not destined for flying have to pass standards as high as those for the- Navy or Army. In short, they must be fit for general service abroad. There is room in tiie Air Force for others than those abb' to perform aerobatics. Pilots art' needed for the big bombers, the flying-boats, and the troop-carriers. Many who are not themselves pilots have to spend much time in the air. These, therefore, have to be- proved equal to it, and immune from any ill-effects of highaltitude work.

The candidate’s personal and family history are of great interest to the examiners, who, however, are not particular as to his stature, merely insisting on a leg-length in the sitting position of not les sthan 42 inches

There are limits to foot-bar adjustposition of not less than 42 inches, ment! There are veritable giants in the Air Force, and also many little fellows; and the latter are just as efficient as the big men when it is a matter of piloting a naeroplane. Indeed, in many respects they have the advantage; they at least allow for more petrol in the tank! Tho candidate passes from test to test and is carefully observed all the time. A littl etremor of the fingers may be evidence of some disorded functional state. Marked tremor of tho eyelids is usually indicative of a highly-strung disposition, or it may be merely the result of legitimate strain. But marke dtrenior of fingers and hands is probably due to excessive indulgence in alcohol or tobacco, which aro strongly reprehended in the Air Force.

By exercises which suggest variations on the traditional tests for inebriety tho candidate’s sense of balance is tested.

Tho “Reid-Sigrist” apparatus is a means for testing his “neuro-muscu-lar’’ co-ordination, or how quickly action responds to visual impression. Actual Hying would be a surer guide, but that would cost too much, and waste not only tho time of instructors but also the undercarriages of lI.M. aeroplanes. The Reid-Sigrist tests are valuable provided they are judged only in connection with other tests, for it is possible for a candidate to give a poor result on this apparatus and yet be a promising subject.

THE PILOT’S SIGHT., There are chairs that tilt, and chairs that produce a falling sensation. And there is an apparatus, known as the “Bag” method, which enables the examiners to judge a candidate's fitness for high-altitude work. The "bag” is literally a. bag. and it has n mouthpiece through which the candidate exercises the power of his lungs. Any candidate who in normal breathing is open-mouthed lias but a poor chance. Of all the tests applied, those relating to sight are the most elaborate. Not. merely is perfect sight, without glasses demanded, but there must not be a suspicion of colour-blindness, whilst the muscles of the eye, and. indeed. every part of that complicated organ, tire tested. Little less elaborate arc the tests of th? ears, not merely for hearing, but for condition of the "middle” and “internal” oars and their tubes. The Reserve personnel ar (.'annually examined. They are nearl.v all exRegulars, and their medical history is known: but there is a new section enlisted from civil life, and before they arc given practical flying training they have to pass the examiners. The candidates for a civil "B” licence. which is necessary to those win) are to carry passengers for hire or reward, has to undergo very strict examination, for which the Air Minister) - charges charges three guineas in tin - first instance. Thu new candidate for a "B” licence must have perfect sight without the aid of glasses, but one who, subsequently to his first examination, begins to use glasses may be permitted to do so.

There are instances on record of first-class pilots who wear glasses, and who have even lost the sight of one eye: but the Air Ministry. although not above considering special

cases, refuses to issue a new “B” licence to any who are not completely qualified.’ In no case nowadays can a man with only one good eye obtain the- licence or its renewal. To some extent the medical test? applied are calculated to dhewr faults in temperament* It is well known that there are character and temperament, failing which only manifest themselves under some exceptional flying strain. How otherwise can we account for flying accidents which are dm- i 1 failure to observe one of tiie elemv.!tary rules for safe flying’.' There are, unhappily, occasions when the sc.-mingly perfect pilot with a go.id record commits a fatal error, usual-' ly through •‘taking a chance." Possibly the psychologists may one dav Im able to invent tests which will

{discover such a proneness, and may level! be able to cure it by treatment or ■'■su.ggesUon.”