Evening star., 1937-04-04

be too slow or too fast-he'd d be rated
as the jittery type in the latter case.
In the general physical examination
the applicant is stripped and medical
history obtained. Regardless Of phys
ical findings history Of the follow
ing diseases Is considered disqualify-
ing for flying training: Sleeping sick
ness or any illness accompanied by
lethargy, due to probable recurrence;
syphilis, due to its latent possibilities:
repeated attacks OF asthma or other
pronounced allegric condition: recent
attacks OF malaria, on account OF low
cred resistance, the uncertainty Of cure
and the extreme changes Of tempera-
lures encountered in flying: heart at
tacks and recurrent attacks OF any
OF the rheumatic group due TO the
likelihood Of cardiac complications.
The examiner, however, does not
limit himself to these ailments, but
includes others that may affect his
decision in border-line cases, particu-
larly diseases of the chest and old
injuries involving the head, bones and
joints.
An infected tooth root is grounds for
divorce from flying-temporarily, any
way.
A urinalysis Is made and blood
pressure taker. While the applicant
is stripped the examiner looks for
stigmata of degeneration, such as
facial asymmetry Zone ear or eye higher
than the other). high-arched palate.
unusual hirsute growth and super
numerary digits, since the presence Of
number indicates probable in
stability In the nervous organization.
Blood pressure is taken reclining
sitting and after the candidate has
been asked to step on and of . chair
for = number OF minutes. Then 1t Is
taken again. The pilot must get back
to normal in hurry.
IT Is the personality test. however,
that fascinates the groundman.
The questions. each with purpose,
seem incredible. The flight surgeon
begins making his study as soon as
the candidate presents himself for
examination. Is he serious, frivolous,
tense, relaxed, apathetic, decisive,
vague or apprehensive?
Not only the candidate, but his
mother and father, his brothers and
| sisters take the test. SO to speak. Their
histories are essential, since less OBJ
vious things than insanity create .
poor heredity, at least for . fiier.
Epilepsy, goiter. cancer and psyche
neuross are often as productive Of
transmitted taint as actual mental
disease, Maj. Grow says.
The applicants environment during
his formative years is possibly of even
greater importance than his heredity,
the flight surgeons say, happy family
life being essential in development of
character, which is apparently what it
takes to fly. The flight surgeons want
to know, therefore. if the candidate S
parents got on we'll together.
The flight surgeon would have his
ideal flier progress normally through
school, with good or better scholarship
as he advances, rather than brilliancy
at first and then q gradual letting
down, as Is seen in schizoid personali-
ties. He wants him to have normal
social tendencies. ability to make
friends, enjoy athletic activities and
have q proper regard for the feelings
of others.
What a blow 1t might be to the
mothers Of the brightest boys in gram
mar school classes to know that some
day those reports might be compared
with college grades and frowned upon
The flight surgeons even ask how
the candidate sleeps. Does he 60 to
sleep readily and sleep hours very
soundly? He may be, then, an epilep-
tic personality. Does he have diff
Guilty in falling asleep, sleep lightly but
a few hours, and awaken early? In
that case he may be .. cyclothmic
disposed toward manic-depressive in
sanity.
THE questions 90 on and on-each
with purpose dedicated to null
tiple happy landings of the future.
What are the candidates ambitions?
Is aviation his first interest? Is there
q conflict In his drives? Does he
smoke and at what age did he start?
Does he drink and what Is his re-
action to alcohol? Does he regard his
capacity for alcohol as large or small?
On the question Of flying and drink
ing Maj. Grow Is emphatic. He
wishes to dispel the notion, received
primarily from films, that pilots are
hard drinkers. Gasoline and whisky
mix no better at high attitudes than
on the highways. it seems, and pilots
of today know that their myriad duties
in the air at speeds doubled and
tripled in the past decade require clear
heads
Today there are SO flight surgeons
on duty with the Air Corps, with Col.
Arnold Tuttle oommandant of the
School Of Aviation Medicine that has
trained them. Approximately 200
more Army, National Guard and Re-
serve physicians have qualified as
aerial doctors, and are active in CIV
ing flying school candidates prelim1-
nary examinations, physical examina-
tions for pilots licenses and keeping
experienced flyers In flying condition.