CAA Medical Research, 1949-51

File — Box: 43, Folder: 14-16

Identifier: VII

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Series: In 1939 Dean Brimhall became assistant to Robert H. Hinckley, chairman of the Civil Aeronautics Authority. Brimhall and Hinckley conceived and organized the Civilian Pilot Training Program which was so successful that at the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor the number of civilian pilots had increased from 25,000 to 100,000 and the number of airplanes from 12,000 to 25,000. In 1940 Hinckley became the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Air and Brimhall again became his assistant. Brimhall was also given the position of director of research for the Civil Aeronautics Administration. In this capacity he conducted many experiments and investigations which were of great value to aviators and the field of aviation. Brimhall did a great deal of research in the field of aviation psychology. He did much in the way of determining whether a person had the right aptitude and was suited to flying. He also helped to achieve the relaxation of medical standards for pilots which opened the way for more people to become pilots. Brimhall also did research into the causes of accidents and was instrumental in developing safety devices in the field of aviation. The most important of these was the stall warning device, which warns pilots of an impending stall situation. He also directed investigations leading to more accurate and equitable proficiency flight tests for the air transport rating for pilots.

Dates

1949-51

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.