PILOTS IN WARTIME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 September 1940, Page 6

PILOTS IN WARTIME

EXPERTS WATCH PROBLEM OF FLYING STRESS.

Experts under Sir Edward Mellanby are engaged in Britain by the Royal Air Force in finding out how pilots are standing up to the strain of flying modern, aircraft with their terrific speeds, and how their minds, bodies and nerves, are reacting to it.

Specialists and scientists are working together on the problems, which among other things, include diet. It has been found that vitamins A and D are an aid to pilots who fly by night, and these pilots are given an extract of halibut oil, usually in the form of tablets. Though there is no compulsion to take these most of the pilots find them very beneficial. An interesting feature of Royal Air Force medical work is that a certain percentage of doctors are encouraged to gain their wings. The medical officer lives in the mess, and it is impressed upon him that he must get to know his brother officers as individuals. Staleness, alterations in outlook, attitude to the work and to brother pilots are noted by these "flying doctors,” who regard all the pilots as potential patients. "Flying stress'’ takes its gradual toll of the pilots, who must , undergo periodical medical texaminations.

Individual records of fitness are kept and there is a prescribed treatment for any man who shows signs of “stress.” If necessary he is kept under the care of a specialist. Ultimately, there comes a time when war pilots are “grounded.” Men• suffering from this ‘'stress'’ go into a special hospital. Flying at high speeds docs not, generally speaking, affect pilots adversely. It is banking and diving at great speeds which take the toll according to the authorities.