FIT FOR THE AIR

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 249, 9 July 1918, Page 5

FIT FOR THE AIR

"THE MEDICAL" TESTS FOR FLYING TEMPERAMENT MUST BE RIGHT (By H. B. Stannard.) (Published by the War Office, and circulated by the' Royal Colonial Institute.) How is it that the British airmen individually and collectively have invariably proved themselves to be superior to the Germans ever since the beginning of tho war, and sometimes even when iiying inferior machines? Undoubtedly the characteristic qualities of the British race—the love of sport, the readiness to take risks, and to act on one's own initiative, and a certain irresponsibility, aro of moro value in the air than the logical, scientific, severely-disciplined T'eutou character; A perfect knowledge of all the rules of the game of flying will not save a man who lacks confidence in ihimself, and is inclined to hesitate. A half second of indecision in the air may bo fatal. The youths in the British Air Service aro pre-eminently self-confident, and the typo selected is the advcuture-loving, fearless youth, by no means brainy, but very sound in wind and limb. The medical side of flying is very important, and medical research is playing its part in the success of the British Air Service. Some most interesting discoveries have been made con-1 cerniug both tho psychological and physiological aspects. One authority says that good eyesight, normal hearing, good "muscle sense," and equilibration are indispensablo qualifications. But moro important of all is the right temperament—not an easy thing tor a medical board to examine. Of the types—the imaginative and- tho unimaginative, tho imaginative youth is said to make the better pilot if ho can keep iis imagination under control. Tho youth who cannot make np his mind had better stick to the earth. He who has led an outdoor life and has played many games is most likely, to- pass tho test; although, of course, there are exceptions. Splendid, powerfnlly-built sportsmen have been known to fail altogether, and anaemic, frail-looking youths of the student typo have blossomed into brilliant pilots. Previous history of wounds and disease is thoroughly investigated. Persistent headaches, vortigo, and easily induced .fatigue i.ro serious defects. But sometimes even a sorious surgical operation is not rogarded as important. Thus a doctor recently passed as fit for (lying a man who had quite a large piece missing from tho frontal region of his skull. It is much moro important that a man should both arms intact than both legs. A clover pilot who wns killed on the Westorn front was Lord Lucas, who had an artificial leg. Considerable 'mportanco is attached to tho respiratory system. In addition to good healthy lungs and vital capacity, the would-be pilot must pass a breath-holding test. This gives an indication of his capacity lo stand tho strain of iiying at high altitudes whore tho air is rariiled and breathing is difficult. No man with a weak heart con hope to pass the tests, Self-balancing is nnotba lest, iho candidate hnd to stand on one leg with his eves shut and his hands on his hips. " There is also the old test of so-briety-walking a straight lino heel to too ■ with oyes open, and then .turning round and walking back without losing balance. The importance of this test can be understood, seeing that an aviator flying in a dark cloud or fog becomes unconscious of his position and sometimes the machine is actually upside down. ft is essential that he should not lose a 6econd in recovering his balance. One export tests what ho calls tho "muscle 6enso" of a candidate bv asking him to toll the difference in weight between articles of a similar size. Also, by making 'Kim raise a cigar box lid on which is balanced a tuning fork with a small footpiece. If ho lias a good musolo sense ho does it without upsetting the fork. Muscle seise counts a good deal in flying, especially when tho machine is running TiiTo air pockets and is bumped about a lot. A pilot sensitive in tho buttocks is quick to keep his machino on a level keel. Candidates have also been put into revolving chairs to i test tho degreo of nystagmus-an oscillatory movement of the eyes. It is though that tho aviator is for tho most par i dependent on impressions conveyed ; through the eyes for his senso of balanct . during a fliglit. Tho throat, nose and ear aro carefully i examined, for any defects might serious ly handicap a man during the greal strain that all flying imposes. With tcgard to the eyes, it is considered thai pilots havo perfect vision, in or der to pick out the colour or marking ol hostile machines, and in recognising signal-lights and in judging the natun of landing grounds. Although there ar< ' many flyers who wear glasses, most ex ' perts are of the opinion that an aviatoi 3 should havo unaided normal vision 11 5 both oyes and in each eyo separately. It ' an aerial flight or in reconnaissanei ' work "defective vision is undoubtedly i ' handicap. A candidate who suffers fron • sea sickness or train sickness would nol 3 bo .rejected on tliosc grounds alone, am it is interesting to know that air sick ness caused by the rolling and pitchlnj of the aeroplane is a very rare com plnint, and that the sickness _ usually oc ours immediately after landing. An unstable nervous system suggested " bv fidgetv movements of the hand?, feel 1 or face, or biting tho nails is a poor re commendation. Tct V know of ono air man, recognised us uno of the very bos in the British service, who exhibits whei not living all forms of restlessness si marked that it amounts to a destruc tivo habit. Unconsciously he will do strov mimv articles within his reach; a • nHit he can often be heard talking awa; in his sleep for quite long periods. Aoro ' neurosis is the name which is sometime "iven to nervous troubles brought nbon 5 by the strain of flying. It has been sail " that an airman's life consists of ' Ion; 3 spells of idleness punctuated by moment 1 of intense tor." He lias to endure in j. tense cold, rain, wind and fog, the nerve 1 racking noise of the engine, tho anti ! aircraft five, and to loop, spin, dive, o . side-slip, apparently out of control, n ' nrder to deceive an opponent. An in torcstiii" nerve test has been devised v. frame' for selecting tho 'best type o air men for lighting. Round his dies is a pneumograph, in his left hand ? trembler, and round two fingers of hi , right hand a pneumatic "doiatier." Be ' hind (ho candidate a revolver shot i I fired or a magnesium flare is set oil >aud a record of the effect on his nerve is obtained by means of stylets writin on a blackened revolving cylinder. One effect of (lying at altitude is . musclar weakness, especially !fcl when working a gun even at compar? „ lively low altitudes, or when working j camera. At a great heitht the mind i u liable to become slack and confused an ' much less conscious of danger,