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Aviation History
1962
1962 - 0627.PDF
FLIGHT International, 19 April 1962 625 0 I thought you'd like the following schoolboy's essay, as originally reported in Shield, house journal of United Air Lines:— "I want to be an airline pilot when 1 grow up . . . because it's a fun job and easy to do. That's why there are so many pilots flying around today. "Pilots don't need much school; they just have to learn to read numbers so they can read instruments. I guess they should be able to read road maps so they can find their way if they get lost. "Pilots should be brave so they won't be scared if it's foggy and they can't see, or if a wing or a motor falls off they should stay calm so they'll know what to do. Pilots have to have good eyes to see through clouds and they can't be afraid of lightning or thunder because they're closer to them than we are. "The salary pilots make is another thing I like. They make more money than they can spend. This is because most people think plane-flying is dangerous except pilots don't because they know how easy it is. "There isn't much I don't like except that girls like pilots and all the stewardesses want to marry the pilots so they always have to chase them away so they won't bother them. "I hope I don't get airsick because I get carsick and if I get airsick I couldn't be a pilot and then I'd have to go to work." • From a letter to the Sunday Express:— "The engines started up and soon the Viscount was taxying towards the runway. Suddenly the man in front gave a panic- stricken glance through his window and, reaching up, pulled the red-painted lever which controls the emergency exit. "The window beside him fell out, and a howling wind blew in, creating near- hysteria among the other passengers. "Members of the crew gathered round the man who had created the panic, remon strating with him. As the aircraft came to a halt I heard the businessman say to the captain: "The fact that I lost my nerve is no excuse for you people to lose your manners.' "Back we went to the terminal and we had to wait over 40min for the window to be refitted and checked. There's a whole lot of political Weltschmerz about this picture, I shouldn't wonder. An inflationary spiral, for instance, deflationist philosophy, avoidance of the unilateral approach. And some incipient brinkmanship, if he hasn't noticed there's no aeroplane "As I sat in the waiting room I noticed the offending passenger, carrying his over night bag and briefcase, stride off and hail a taxi." Secret thinks: I can't tell you how many times I have felt like doing that. Evidently the headline writer of the Sunday Express has felt like it too: he headed the letter "The Man with the Courage to Walk off a Plane.? Uncle Roger's Heartache Corner • I was terribly worried to read what Mr Anthony Milward of BEA said about the "sex appeal of the jets" the other day. I know my propellers are old hat compared with all these turbofans and fan jets, but is that any reason why my boss should be losing interest in me? Miss Bristol Britannia, London (Heathrow). Just tell him you're a windmill girl, my dear, and he'll be sure to fall for that. Men are such fickle creatures. I work on the London - Athens route and 1 am cultivating the Grecian bend. Can you recommend a good perfume to im prove my sex appeal further? Miss Olympia Comet 4B, Athens. Yes, my dear. Apply some kerosine sparingly before you take off on each flight. My boss is absolutely maddening! He talks about the "sex appeal of the jets" as if we had none at all! I always say that a girl's best friend is a Rolls-Royce Avon, but what I really wanted to ask is— What make-up should I use when operating in pool? I mean, something to attract attention from that fast French piece flaunting her rear jets, and yet not too conspicuous. Miss Esmeralda Comet 4B, London (Heathrow). / think you already use quite enough make-up on your wings, my dear—they're scarlet all over. But don't worry too much about your sex appeal—you know you wouldn't be seen dead wearing pods. ROGER BACON Did they stand us orf because they feared a stack of airmail in the London Control Zone? Rather a let-down for Fligth, really, not to mention the Brithish Aer Club Do come back and sit down. I didn't mean it HI3H ASS. CLUB c/o Fligth ) Box DOCK) et House,Staadorf St. to,S.|» 1 England
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