The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-03-13


More than a mere acquired abil-
ity to manipulate mechanical de-
vices of the air, the new character
istic represents an organic change
in mans nervous system which,
through the process of evolution,
may produce ultimately a type in
whom flying will involve no more
conscious effort or nervous strain
than does walking.
Elaborate studies in psychiatry
and neurology at the .-rmy school
Of aviation medicine at Brooks
Field, San Antonio, reveals that the
most capable filters are those most
generously endowed with the in
stinctive sense of flight which
guides birds on the wing.
Detecting the Quality
The Air Corps has worked out an
examination formula for detecting
this quality in applicants for train
ing and will thus seek to assist
nature in her work of selecting
the survivors. The survival of
the fittest" processes operate more
speedily and more ruthlessly in
aviation than in most other realms
of human activity. The Army
seeks to make the process az nearly
painless as possible.
Colonel l.. M. Hathaway, chief of
the Air Corps Medical Section and
a pioneer in aviation neurology, is
the trailblaZer in this field of
scientific inquiry in the United
States.
There is extensive evidence, he
finds of q gradual development in
the race of an ever more wide
spread adaptability to flight. AS
flying becomes more general this
latent faculty will be developed IN.
still greater numbers. In time it
will ingram itself in the physical
makeup of the nervous system and
then become an hereditary trait.
The new flight sense is com
pounded of an instructive feel of
direction, speed. altitude and equi-
librium. he said. Those who have
it in the greatest degree tend to
the same unthinking muscular con-
troll in flight as is found in the
bicyclist. The touch of the con-
trolls, the throb Of the motor, the
force Of the wind and even the
subtle variations in air pressure at
different attitudes are the sensory
functions through which this new
faculty is developed.
Some Examples
Colonel Lindbergh's uncanny abil-
ity to steer himself over unknown
territory, and Commander Byrd's
spectacular transatlantic flight in
an almost unbroken binding fog
are cited as manifesto tons OF the
new sense.
Having gained domination Of the
land and sea, man has taken to
mechanical wings Of such perfec-
ton that his speed excels that of
the birds and his endurance is
capable Of sustained flight equal to
that Of birds of passage.
"All of this he has done within
25 years. 1t is only to be expected
that this great and sudden transi.
ton from earth to air, from slow
locomotion to swift and sustained
flight, must of necessity call forth
much of his reserve of adaptability
and subject his frail flesh to I'm.
wonted strain.
Flying produces its greatest
strain on the nervous organization
1t is significant that about 80 per
cent of the temporary removals
from flying duty are due to dis
orders of the nervous system"
A high degree of nervous stabil-
ity and flashing coordination Of
sensory and muscular centers are
marks of potential flying ability.
What Is Needed
So accurate is the Army formula
Tor spotting these qualities in APP
plicants that perfect scores have
been recorded in tallying the test
Judgments with the later actual
flying experience of a given group
of student pilots.
Completes are bad for airmen
and the Army will have none of
them, according to the new formula
Tor psychiatric examination of the
embryo pilot.
Deeply seated worries amo1ht.
ing to anxiety, inadequately
handled mental conflicts and subj.
mated completes are all indicative
Of latent nervous instability and
are seriously considered as factors
causing rejection at the original
examination"
The most promising tempera.
ment Is that which takes serious