pilot

One man's idea of a perfect pilot

The make-up of the average pilot is not a subject to which one devotes much study—mainly because they are all such depen

dable chaps.

But Jon Akass, who writes one of the most readable columns around the world, has evidently given the matter a great deal of thought. And in the London Sun recently, when arguing against the employment of women pilots, he described his ideal pilot in great detail.

“He is male, middle aged, middle class with an interest in shrubs. He drives a Rover motor car and has two sons at a minor public school.

He is not much interested in politics but usually votes Conservative. He has a house in Middlesex He likes a couple of sherries before lunch and gets tight at Christmas when he is not on duty. He thinks he is a bit of a dog because of this, or because he once pinched a hostess’s bottom years ago, when he forgot himself during a delayed stopover.

“His hedges are neat. His car is well washed. He knows a remedy for slugs He wears blazers and his wife wears sensible brogues. They have been married for 20 years with scarcely a cross word. He reads The Daily Telegraph. .

“He is a tolerant man inasmuch as nothing bestirs him enough to be intolerant® about. He believes in fair play the BBC, the nuclear deterrent, Mantovani and ground control ap proach. He thinks that all the world s problems could be solved if only everybody would sit round a table and be sensible.

“The pilot I have described can be depended upon not to try anything fancy. He is even-tempered and un moody no matter what time of the month it is. He is not excitable, indeed it is impossible to excite him.

He will face his doom with the same blandness as he faces a four-minute egg toast and marmalade. e8 “My ideal pilot is doubtless s fantasy, but a fantasy I hketocuddle up to when I fasten my safety belt.