BLUE-EYED MEN BEST AIR PILOTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 180, 1 July 1940, Page 2

BLUE-EYED MEN BEST AIR PILOTS

Good fighter pilots in the air usually have blue eyes. That is not a matter of mere coincidence. Scientific tests, carried out with the object of finding the ideal fighterpilots have proved it so. All pilots must come of good, sound stock, and must pass a strict medical examination. This includes tests to find whether the would-be - pilot can withstand the strain of - flying in all climates and all altitudes. There are also breath-taking and balancing tests. The eyesight must be first-class, with correct colour vision and muscle balance. Identification of : signals depends on colour vision, while ocu'.ar balance is essential to safe landing. An ingenious machine is used for the eyesgiht test. It classifies the eyes - under threa groups—colour vision normal; defective but safe; and defective and unsafe. The ears, nose and throat examination is aiso severe. Good hearing is essential; variations in the sound of the engine may be important, and a pilot must be able la hear messages coming through his earphones under any conditions of noise. Three tuning-forks of different range test a candidate's hearing —the middle C, two octaves belowmiddle C. In airother test the examiners whisper to the embrytppilot at a distance of 20 feetr"' - But it is the man's general characteristics which are the real point ers. Good fighter pilots vary a lot in appearance—in height, in chest measurement, and in purely physi-, cal characteristics —but they all have something in common. This is a quality which indicates good mental and physical stamina. Experience in examining many thousands of young men enables the medical experts of the R.A.F. to spot the potential lighter pilot almost at a glance. The wy he moves, tl\e quickness of his eye, and the realdiness of his smile are unmistakable. As to whether the colour of the candidate's eyes is any real guide, while brown or grey 'eyes go with a sympathetic temperament. x the steely blue denote the independent, combative nature of the ideal fighter pilot.—B.U.P.