Page:The Fun of It.pdf/51

Rh very short turn and loops and barrel rolls and their relatives and friends are mostly for fun.

I had fun trying to do them, anyway. So much so, in fact, I have sometimes thought that trans­port companies would do well to have a “recreation airplane” for their pilots who don’t have any chance to play in the big transports or while on duty. If a little stunt ship were available, the men could go up 5000 feet and “turn it inside out” to relieve the monotony of hours of straight flying.

The purpose of military stunting is quite distinct from that of civilian brands.

When I learned to fly, a physical examination was not necessary. Today, under the administra­tion of the Department of Commerce, no one may even attempt to learn without first establishing his physical ability.

So the first step taken by the flying candi­date must be to secure a medical examination. Throughout the country are physicians designated by the Department as examiners and they make the simple tests. I emphasize simple for myths of having to be whirled in chairs and undergo long trials in complicated machines are still talked about as if they were true.

Primarily the modern examination concerns eye­sight and muscular control, but general physical fit­ness is also a prerequisite. In addition to the fami­liar test for color blindness and general vision, the determination of depth perception is vital. This means the visual ability to judge distance. In a