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Aviation History
1949
1949 - 0352.PDF
230 FLIGHT Jet Initiation THE accompanying photographs show part of the pre-paration programme before a U.S.A.F. pilot makeshis first flight in a Lockheed F-80, or, as an American phrase has it—"becomes a firecan jockey." Of particular interest is the issue of those items of flying clothing now looked on by the U.S. as almost essential in the pursuit of high-speed flying. While the basic opera- tion of handling a jet fighter follows normal practice, it is accepted by most people that the increasing speeds of modern fighters, throwing a progressively heavier strain Lt. Price, a trainee fighter pilot, is congratulated after his first flight in a Shooting Star G-su/t and helmet are on the kitting scale for every U.S. fighter pilot on the human frame, will eventually demand provision of a type of " pressure-cum-g-suit." R.A.F. fighter pilots are at present operating without special clothing, but British flying suits incorporating " g-waistcoats" are in development stages. There is also a strong possibility that a counterpart to the '' man-f rom-Mars '' helmets now worn by American ser- vice aircrews, as well as their test pilots, will make an appearance in this country. Reduction in the height of cockpit canopies, apart from giving a desirable decrease in drag, may be enforced by strength considerations, with the need to diminish, as far as possible, the area of trans- parent plastic. Helmets are then necessary to protect the pilot's head by absorbing bumps in rough air. briefing from a new angle—-with maps on the ceiling A blindfold cockpit check it a useful end-of-term test
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