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To All Members   -12-   October 4, 1941

It would help a great deal, so far as Headquarters' time is concerned, if we didn't have to write a number of penalty and other dues collection letters each quarter.

At a meeting of the Central Executive Council several months ago, the matter of making a contribution to the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund was taken up. It was directed that this be included in a council mailing which has been done. However, the result is nothing to write home about. We have carefully investigated this proposition and find it to be politically free of all parasitical factors and every cent that is contributed reaches the needy dependents of R.A.F. pilots. In my letter a number of months ago to the chairmen on the subject, I had the following to say:

"We all know what the RAF pilots are up against. They are carrying out one of the toughest assignments ever given to a group of men. They are constantly battling an enemy that outnumbers them at least twenty to one. The showing they have made thus far is such that merits the admiration and support of the entire civilized world. They are truly the first line of defense of free people and, as we all know, that line is, at the present time, spread damned thin.

"There is no doubt in my mind as to the final outcome but, in the meantime, the RAF pilots have no alternative other than to fight and die like men. It appears that the least we can do is contribute a reasonable amount to alleviate the hardships that the injured RAF pilots are undergoing and the distressing aftermath of those left behind that are made dependent by the loss of their providers killed in action. There are no official figures available, but the death and injured rate of RAF pilots must be terrific."

Recently a Central Executive Council meeting directed that the next mailing include a part dealing with this subject, urging that the members contribute to their chairmen if they have not already done so. Some of the pilots complain that they have contributed to their company for the same fund. This may be true but, nevertheless, the Association ought to make a fairly decent showing on a proposition of this kind. Under the circumstances, you may contribute to your chairman who will send it in, or you may send it directly to the bookkeeper who is keeping a record of all amounts received and who, at the proper time, will turn the proceeds over to an American representative of this fund.

We are again facing another winter's bad weather season. Soon the ice, snow, sleet, and persistent fogs will again be with us. There has been a constant flow of air safety projects through Headquarters and a countless number of recommendations affecting regulations, aids, air traffic problems, and equipment, all affecting safety, have gone to the C.A.A. We are now bearing down with great vigor on the proposition of providing a greatly extended approach light system for all of the busy airports. Veteran pilots often say that aids along the airways are not so bad and the field lights, in most instances, are quite acceptable, but we are still barnstorming from beam stations to the runways. Practically all of the air line pilots feel that a more extensive approach light system will fill this very important gap. This is an angle which should be discussed and advocated by all of the air line pilots at every opportunity. It has the unanimous approval of our entire Air Traffic Control and Airway Aids Advisory Committee.