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Aviation History
1944
1944 - 2054.PDF
376 FLIGHT OCTOBER 5TH, 1944 INJURIES IN LIGHT PLANE CRASHES made on "the flimsy structure of seats," and the report states that " improvement of materials and fastenings used in seats is an important safety need. The number of demolished seats and the tearing free of seat fastenings suggests that tests under static loadings are no criteria of true safety needs." As regards seat belts, their present fastenings are con demned as inadequate, and the opinion is expressed that injuries might have been less severe had they not given way. Even so, it is pointed out that mounting evidence from army and navy studies indicates that restraint for the upper part of the body is the primary and most effective defence against injury in survivable accidents. In short, the ordinary seat belt commonly used on light aircraft does not prevent the wearer from being swung forward (to strike his head against the instrument panel), and that shoulder harness of some kind is required. Some kind of inexpensive, corrugated flooring material which.will not buckle and splinter under twisting strains is also needed, says the report, and it is further suggested that the squab of the front seat (in tandem seating) should be padded and arranged to pivot and move forward beyond the swing of the rear passenger's head under conditions of strong frontal force—under crash conditions, that is. Serious injuries have been caused to the occupant of the rear seat by the squab of the current form of front seat. IT would be difficult to assess accurately in terms of strategic value the work done in this war by the Path finder Group of the Royal Air Force. That their skill has been of the very greatest benefit to the effectiveness of the air war is obvious to anyone. It would be a great pity if all this accumulated experience were to be scattered to the four winds when peace conies, and in order to ensure that members of this splendid force do not lose touch with each other a club has been formed under the title The Pathfinder Club. Membership is open to all officers and aircrews who served in No. 8 Pathfinder Group. Others may be admitted if approved by the committee. Here, it would seem, is a fine opportunity for some of our wealthy citizens or firms to do a tremendous amount of good by giving financial support. The objects of the club are set out below, and to them we need add little beyond the obvious fact that the keeping together of these specialists, whose particular qualifications will be a national asset after the war no less than during the war, is greatly to be desired. Following are the aims of the club, the president of which is Air Vice Marshal D. C. T. Bennett, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O. (a) To maintain the spirit and fellowship ot the Pathfinder Force and enable member^ to keep in contact with each other, through a central registry (b) To encourage interest in aviation and a high standard-of flying similar to that which has been maintained in the Path finder Force (c) To do everything possible to help out prisoners of war on their return to this country. In furtherance of these aims the committee is exploring the possibilities of providing the facilities mentioned below and of obtaining the funds necessary to carry them out. (1) Permanent club premises in London. (2) Opportunities tor participation in peactime aviation, including the use of an airfield and aircraft at special rates. (3) Assistance in obtaining post-war employment by setting up a Pathfinder employment bureau. (4) The holding of periodical reunions either of the whole club or of special sections of it (e.g., squadrons). (5) Official recognition of the club so that members may be given facilities to attend functions and demonstrations No suggestions are made in respect of control columns, but whether this is because the study did not disclose any serious threat from the "stick" in the crashes investi gated is not indicated. Reference is made, however, to control wheels (although they do not really come within the report's terms of reference), and attention is called to the outstanding severity of injuries from wheel installa tions. Some material other than cast aluminium and similarly brittle substances is recommended, one suggestion being the use of a dish-shaped wire or sheet-metal wheel with rubber covering as a means of modifying the severity of present control-wheel injuries. Other recommendations include the strengthening of engine-bearers and longerons, and the incorporation of a simple built-in accelerometer to register the peak force of any accident to provide data on which to judge the safety or hazard of the structure involved. A final paragraph mentions the desire for more speed as being responsible for a trend among certain manufac turers of light aircraft to produce a less safe type of machine than others. "We feel," the investigators con clude, "it is in the best interests of all concerned, especi ally as regards light aircraft for popular use, to emphasise, safety factors even at the cost of some reduction in tb<» speed of the aircraft." An interesting report that should repay close study. associated with military and civil aviation and activities in connection therewith. Each member will pay an initial subscription of 10s., which will make him a permanent registered member. He is under no obligation to pay any more. Those who wished to make use of club premises or flying facilities would pay an annual subscription. The management of the club is vested in the Committee, which was elected at the first meeting and is as follows: — President: Air Vice-Marshal D. C. T. Bennett, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O. Hon Secretary: Wing Cdr J. C. Macgown, D.F.C. Hon. Treasurer: Sqn Ldr. P. L. Burley. Committee: Sqn. Ldr. C. L. Yelland, Sqn. Ldr. H. Hem ming, A.F.C., Fit. Lt. W. J. Rogers, Mr. J. A. Jukes. Members or ex-members of the Pathfinder Force who wish to join the club should send their names, together with their temporary and permanent addresses and the initial subscrip tion of ios., to Wing Cdr. J. C. Macgown, D.F.C., R.A.F., Huntingdon, or to any committee member. NO MORE N.Z. AIRMEN FOR EUROPE FURTHER steps in the reorganisation of the Royal New-Zealand Air Force following the improved war situation in Europe were announced by the Defence Minister, Mr. Frederick Jones, last week. He said the United Kingdom Government had requested that no more trainees be sent direct from New Zealand for the R.A.F. This would entail a substantial reduction in R.N.Z.A.F. training establishments, as only a fraction of multi-engined bomber personnel previously trained for the R.A.F. could be absorbed in the Pacific. Following advice from the United Kingdom concerning future requirements of the R.A.F., agreement had been reached in volving the future concentration of R.N.Z.A.F. training for Pacific service only. The reorganisation will involve the closing of additional Air Force stations, the amalgamation of smaller units and the re leasing of 2,400 officers, airmen and W.A.A.F. or administra tive and_ ground staffs in addition to the 1,600 released in August last. Steps have been taken for the return home of New Zealand personnel who have served overseas with the R.A.F. for three years or more. Pathfinders A Club to Ensure Wartime Specialists Do Not Lose Touch
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