White House Press Release

125 IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 12, 1948 The President has received the following minority report from Mr. Howard B. Cox of the Special Board of Inquiry on Air Safety. The board, consisting of James M. Landis, chairman; J. C. Hunsaker, Mr. Cox, T. P. Wright and Milton W. Arnold, presented its final report on December 29, 1947: My dear Mr. President: tednurs When the President's Special Board of Inquiry on Air Safety submitted its final report to you on December 29, 1947, I indicated that I did not concur with a number of parts of this report and would submit a minority report covering my views relating thereto. I have tried to make the points covered brief and concise. Your indulgence and cooperation will be deeply appreciated by all those I represent, the air line pilots of this country. The minority report follows. NARA Proficiency Relating to the proficiency of air line pilots and the field of psychological research as applied to this factor, there is not very much about any of this that can be placed in the category of certainty. The top psychologists in the country will readily admit that any psychological test lacks the conclusive accuracy necessary to be made a part of any form of proficiency tests for persons actively employed in any craft or profession. They point out that the use of psychological tests as a basis for releasing employees is completely out of line with the purpose and intent of such tests. In this respect it should be noted that the first time any form of psychological test made its appearance on an air line was on TWA where it was used as a basis for discharging a sizeable number of pilots. The air line pilots feel there may be some degree of worth in a psychological approach to the problem of selecting air line pilots for initial employment, but so far as applying any of these types of tests to pilots already employed, to use the words of one well known psychologist, it will take a hundred years to develop any form of test that can be relied on to a degree of having any worth for air line pilots already employed. Relating to maintaining and checking the proficiency of air line pilots, the method currently in use amounts to a highly skilled check pilot flying with the one being checked and determining from firsthand performance observation whether or not he has the ability, skill, reactions, and proficiency sufficient for air line flying. It is felt that this method of checking the proficiency of air line pilots presently employed - a practical check by practical people - is superior to any theoretical test which might be devised. Morale of Flight Personnel Conditions of employment and security of air line pilots have much to do with air safety. Without good employment conditions, which include a fair and square method of settling disputes and grievances, air safety is sure to be impaired to an alarming degree. Rates of Pay The pilots are convinced beyond any doubt whatever that the present method of pay creates no hazard in air line flying. Detailed safety procedures, minimums, and operating practices must be met before a flight can be legally cleared; and unless it can be legally cleared, it just doesn't go. (OVER)