TESTING AVIATORS' NERVES

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 160, 29 August 1916, Page 4

TESTING AVIATORS' NERVES

Many of us have been thrilled by the daring exploits of our airmen, and i those of us who have seen the bloodcurdling evolution known as "looping A the loop," have wondered what sort of *' nerves a man must have to turn upside down in mid-air. Aviators go through a most caret'id trailing, and* only those who are physically and mentally strong, and constitutionally in what is known as the ' 'pink of conditijOn,*" In France (aviators are *pu% through a most exhausting test by an ingenious machine. Th e would-be pilot has to commence by exerting with both hands a rhythmic and continued effort which is inscribed by the tambour of an apparatus, and automatically added up in kilos by a meter. He is then placed in front of a needle moved by cloekwork one complete turn in a second. Immediately the subject is aware of an deflection of the needle he must aires t it by pressing on a Lever. Finally a tambour is applied to his pulse in order to gauge his respiratory and cireulatory rhythm. He is then submitted to a violent and unexpected sensation—:i magnesium, flash, a detonation, or a' douche of ice eold water The tambour mercilessly registers the tremor of his hand, the-; acceleravicr. of his respiration, and the be;:ting of his heart. After going through all this th e accomplished avia-A tor is surely worthy of the unstinted* admiration we all feel for him.