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On operational duty the loss of time from this cause was reported as negligible and in no degree an interference with the job. An analysis of 11 fatal and 112 major non-fatal accidents in training failed to disclose any demonstrable contributing menstrual factor. Reports were obtained regularly from all trainees and a series of observations were conducted in a group of 430 cases. To determine effect of menses on flying, recordings were made of concentration, coordination, reaction, and tenseness. In 81% of the cases there was no recorded change and in 19% a slightly noticeable lowering in certain respects. These investigations were carried through stages of training and checked with records on the flight line. There were practically no cases where trainees felt that menses interfered with their ability to carry on in any phase or to meet any situation in the normal way. A substantial percentage who felt some physical or emotional let-down felt actually better after flying. This effect has been referred to in other aspects of aviation medicine as the "sedation of flying."

It is not the purpose of this report to allege that the same percentage of American women between the ages of 18 and 27 inclusive, could be drawn on for pilot material as in the case of men without findings contrary to the above. It is well known that a certain percentage of women suffer temporary partial disability from this cause. The WASP program was selective just as any other volunteer women pilot program would be, for the women with such reactions are not likely to choose flying as a pursuit. But not matter how extensive a women pilot program might ever be contemplated, this factor would not serve as a limitation on the obtaining of a sufficient number of trainees and graduates, for there are nearly 13,000,000 young women in the United States between the ages of 18 and 28, inclusive.

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6-1262,AF