AIR PROFESSION OPEN TO WOMEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 30, 28 April 1927, Page 1

AIR PROFESSION OPEN TO WOMEN

PILOTS’ CERTIFICATES INTERNATIONAL DECISIONS STRENGTH IS NEEDED By Cable. —Press Association. —Copyright (British Official Wireless.) LONDON, Wednesday. 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 the international signal of P.A.N.. which is the abbreviation of the French word for breakdown. Medical qualifications for male pilots were also examined by the conference and a complete chart of qualities explained and the mental requirements which constitute a 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 ihe heaviest class of machines are thrown open to women pilots, the only proviso being that women aviators shall be re-examined medically once in three months, instead of once in six months, 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. A new chapter concerning the standard minimum requirements for airworthiness certificate was also adopted. Sir Philip Cunliffe Lister, president of the Board of Trade, stated in the House of Commons that negotiations with Germany for a mutual air-traffic agreement were making good progress and he hoped that it would he possible to sign an agreement at an early date.