TESTS FOR AVIATORS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 18 September 1929, Page 7

TESTS FOR AVIATORS

PRESENT HIGH STANDARD FORMER INADEQUATE TESTS Dr. A. P. Lawrence, of a paper on "Aviation from its Medical Aspect," read at the recent Medical Congress in Sydney, described the rigid tests to which military and civil aviators were subjected before they were allowed to fly.' Answering a question he said lie ha'd requested the Australian Air Board to purchase air ambulances. They considered the service machines should be the first consideration, but the aim 'was"to have a type of machine which could quickly be converted to an ambulance if the necessity arose. At present he was afraid they would have to look to civil aviation to develop air ambulances. Dr. Cooper Booth asked whether, in the event of war, the authorities would be prepared to relax the stringent tests for aviators. ■'"':" "

Dr. Lawrence: That is a very difficult question. The policy of the Air Force is to have short service commissions of four years, so that as large a number as possible \vill pass through and become available in" the event of war. The subsidising of aero clubs is done with the same end in view. As regards the tests, obviously eyesight is of supreme importance. Next comes nervous stability. During the war, Dr. Lawrence added, a great, many men were killed who should never have been allowed to fly. The tests then were somewhat cursory, but a very high standard was now required. -•'.'-.