[Powder Puff Problems and the Curse of the Ladybirds] Page: 35 of 46
22 p. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this text.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
1'>
What were the pilots told?
"Apparently, they say, she had become severely nauseated while flying
low, unfastened her seat belt to better hang her head overside and unaware,
flew into the ground. We speculate whether the nausea was an aftermath of the
queasiness most of us experienced at Yuma, or from other cause."
(Thaden, Aviation Quarterly, 1974)
This version sounds good only if you say it fast. Marvel Crosson has been
flying since 1923= she has probably been airsick before and knows how to vomit
from a plane. She's been flying in San Diego for years, and must be used to
desert heat. She didn't fly into the ground, she bailed out. And witnesses
heard the motor fail.
We can discover what Inspector Noel wanted to say only by turning to the
Journal of Aviation Medicine, 1930:
"...(Dr. Bauer read a communication from one of the inspectors relative to
female pilots.) I think in your capacity as examiners you should advise women
that under no circumstances should they fly during, immediately before or
immediately after their menstrual period. There is no question but what a woman
is more unstable at that time than at other times. I don't know of anyone
better fitted to broadcast that information than the doctor. They will take it
from the doctor when they won't take it from anyone else, and they don't
appreciate it, as a rule. I think you should make it your duty, whenever you
advise a woman applicant, to advise her that under no circumstances should she
fly during that period. Unquestionably, it is the cause of a certain number
of crashes. We found after the air races a year ago that in connection with
one of the women who was killed it happened during her menstrual cycle.
Unquestionably that had a strong bearing on her accident."
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This text can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Text.
Day, Leon. [Powder Puff Problems and the Curse of the Ladybirds], text, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1029802/m1/35/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting National WASP WWII Museum.