Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1917-05-08
Montesano Man Tells Of Siren
uous Preparation Re-
quired Of Birdmen
SEVERE PHYSICAL TESTS
Is Taught Radio Telegraphy
Unjust know all About
Gasoline Motors

from Captain r. H. Fleet, who is
studying aviation at the North Island
school, San Diego, Cal, in which he
says he is getting along fairly we'll in
the work. He has been flying under
an instructor since April 10, and eX-
poets to be turned loose" in two or
three weeks. The students get from
80 to 40 minutes in the air every day,
instruction consisting of two, three
or four ascensions and flights at from
500 to 1.2OO feet and then landing.
The balance of the time they attend
classes in radio telegraphy and aero
nautical and automobile motors. He
works three or four hours day in
the shop, acquiring working knowl-
edge of gas engines, taking apart
motors, grinding valves, scraping
bearings, etc. In his letter, dated
May 3, Captain Fleet said he heard
the Washington Naval Militia was in
the harbor, but had not seen any of
the boys.
He enclosed the following clipping
from the San Diego Sun, which shows
that it requires real man and that
it is no joke to pass the extra phys cal
tests that are given prospective bird
men:
Being an army aviator is no joke
1t is no joke to pass the physical
tests required for admission to tie
army, or the extra tests given pros
pective birdmen.
Least jocular of all is taking your
life in your hands and plotting a great
flying machine into the air a mile
above old mother earth.
The U. S. signal corps aviation
school at North Island has already
trained two classes Of 10 junior mill.
tary aviators-called J. M. A. among
the fliers-since Jan. l.
Before the end of 1917 several hun
dred army officers, army enlisted
men, national guardsmen and flying
reserve corps men will have learned
to navigate the air at this camp.
Probably also navy filters will be
trained at North Island, plans being
on foot to consolidate the flying arms
of the army and navy, to familarize
the men to each service with both
land and water machines.
Married and Single Eligible.
Married and single men are ef-
gible for the aviation corps. After
passing the army tests, which de-
mand a body of nearly physical per
lection. determined by minute inspec.
ton, tests of all vital organs, blood
pressure and ability to undergo
fatiguing exercise without heart ac-
celeration, the candidate must take the
tests demanded for aviation qualifi-
cation.
His nerves must be of steel. If he
started at pistol shot fired close
behind him, the applicant was former
ly disqualified. This is still test
with some European aviation schools,
though it is not now used on this side
of the Atlantic
Unless his sense of balance is per
feet he cannot be successful avia
tor. TO try the sense of balance
Apply the 'vestibular test"
Pour water in his ears. If his mid
die ear, where the sensation of bal
ance has it's origin, is normal, pouring
in cold water will make the eyes flut
Ter away from that side. while water
at 1O4 degrees fahrenheit will cause
the eyeball to act in the opposite way
He must be able to hear a wbisper
or low conversation at a distance OF
90 feet.
His eyes must be perfect AS well
as being required to read small print
at stated distances, without the aid
of glasses, he is tried for ability tc
distinguish colors.
He must be able to hop, blind-f fold
ed, back and forth without any con
Siueiaui ueNia'ioi HUH line. f1t
must be able to stand perfectly bal
anced on one foot.
Is Given Joy Rides.
When finally accepted for flying in
struction, the student is taken for
Joy ride" to acquaint him with tn,
air. On his second trip he is given on,
of the controls to handle. After 81,
or seven hours "aloft" he is turned
loose and allowed to take up ma
chine alone.
Having completed ten hours actua
work in the air he takes his tests fO
elementary pilots license, consisting