Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-08-06
LUFBERRY SETS FORTH
DEMANDS OF AVIATION
Noted American Air Fighter
Says Cream of U. S. Youth
Must Be Employed
QUALIFICATIONS SEVERE
Must Have Flying Skill, Shooting Abil-
ity, Physical Courage and Poise
to Fill Bill
PARIS, Aug. 6.

1AfhiS, aug o.
1T will take the cream Of American
youth between the ages of eighteen and
twenty-six to man Americas thousands of
airplanes. 1t will take the double cream
OF youth to qualify as 'chasers' in the re-
public's new aerial army"
This was the statement Of Lieutenant
Raoul Lufberry today as he told of the
qualifications America must seek in the
men who are to act as the eyes of her
armies in France
Lufberry is one of the best qualified men
in the world to discuss what is necessary
to make a successful airman. He has been
oficially cited for bringing down ten Ger
man airplanes and has unofficial credit for n
half dozen more. He has been decorated
with the Legion Of Honor, the British mill
tary cross, the French military cross and
the cross of war. He brought down his
first enemy machine ten days after going
into service.
Three types of airmen were mentioned
by Lufberry as he talked for Americans
at home of the air fighters to be sent to
France. They included, first, the double
cream" to man the light, fast chasers; then
the men for heavier aeroplanes carrying
two or more passengers; and the bonn
bardier"-the expert machine-gun and small
cannon operator.
Intensive and scientific training must be
given this cream of youth upon which
Americas welfare in the air must rest"
said Lufberry. Experience has shown that
| for best results the fighting aviator should
| not be over twenty-sx years old or under
! eighteen. The youth under eighteen has
shown himself to be bold but he lacks judg-
| ment. Men over twenty-six are too eau
| tous.
PHYSIQUE MUST BE PERFECT.
sGT-l..
! handling chaser must be of perfect
| physique. He must have the coolest nerve
and be of a temperament that longs for a
| fight. He must have sense Of absolute
| duty and fearessness, the keenest sense of
| action and perfect sight to gain the abso-
solute feel of his machine.
He must be entirely familiar with aerial
| acrobatics. The latter frequently means
| life or death.
/ Fighting $4,000 feet In the air produces
heavy strain on the heart. 1t Is vital,
therefore, that this organ show not the
! slightest evidence of weakness, Such weak
ness would decrease the aviator's fighting
| efficiency.
| '"The American boys who come over here
| for this work will be subject to rapid and
| frequent variations in altitude. 1t is a COM
! mon occurrence to dive vertically from 5000
| to 10000 feet with the motor pulling hard.
| Eyeglasses are barred Sharpness of
|
| may escape or the aviator himself will be
| surprised or mistake friendly machine for
a hostile craft. The differences are often
merely insignificant colors and details
EARS MUST STAND AIR PRESSURE
| THE ears must be able to stand air pres
! sure The aviator hears nothing but his
| motor and an occasional close shot
| ut Is important to realize that so long
! as man has skill in handling his machine
and accuracy in fire he is never beyond
| hope.
| Americas aviators must be men who
| Will be absolute masters of themselves un-
der fire, thinking out their attacks as their
| fight progresses
] Experience has shown that the chaser
| men should weigh under 180 pounds Amer
leans from the ranks of sport-youths who
| have played baseball. polo football or have
shot and participated in other sports-will
| probably make the best chasers.
THE nerve and ability to do acrobatic
stunts is imperative in handling light ma
chimes. Guynemer. the French champion
fier Is an acrobat of the air. He is OF
very slight build. His gyrations make II
extremely difficult to hit him. Though he
has been hit, he is wonderful shot him.
self. That Is what Americans must be-"