AIR TRAVEL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19827, 29 April 1927, Page 7

AIR TRAVEL

SAFETY PROVISIONS International Commission Draws Up New Rules WOMEN PILOTS ’PLANES FOE LEAGUE OF NATION’S USE [By Telegraph—Per Press Assn.—Copyright.] (By Radio) RUGBY, April 27. A new distress sign for the world’s code of air signals was considered and adopted by the International Commission for Air Navigation, which ended its sittings in London to-day. In future any aircraft which is in difficulties not serious enough to warrant an S.O.S. will send out tho international signal of PA.N , which is an abbreviation of the French for breakdown. The medical qualifications for male pilots were also examined by the conference and a complete chart of qualities explained, and the mental requirements which constitute the perfect pilot were drawn up. The decision that in future women can qualify for B certificates in aviation was also reached. This means that even the heaviest classes of machines are thrown open to women pilots, the only proviso being that women aviators shall be re-examined medically onco in three months, instead of six as in the case of men. ‘ To navigate a heavy air liner a woman would not only have to be a first class pilot, but her muscular development and general strength would have to be much above the average, and this decision, although it removes any grievance that may be entertained by women pilots, makes it unlikely that many will be employed except on small machines. It was also agreed that should pilots following a railway or a canal be forced to alight they will travel as far away from tho railway or canal as possible. A new charter concerning standard minimum requirements for an airworthiness certificate was also adopted. It was agreed that aeroplanes used in connection with the League of Nation’s actions should have a special identification mark —a black line across the nationality mark —thus preventing delay in entering different countries, •particularly when it is necessary to rush delegates to Geneva without customs delay. Tho new air dictionary eliminates “dirigible” and retains “airship.”

It was recommended that electric power transmission posts near aerodromes should be marked.