(4) The medical examination of cadets presented almost similar difficulties to that of mechanics. Brigade standards were entirely different from those usually adopted by the local boards. It was very difficult to secure an examination which was anything more than superficial.
The Barany revolving chair is now employed, and in doubtful cases trial flights involving specified tests are given. In this way it has been possible to accept some borderline cases, where under the old system rejections would have been inevitable.
(5) It should not be forgotten that in this, as well as in the campaign for recruits, the same staff was employed.
The brigade was handicapped from the commencement by the absolutely inadequate staff provided. It has only been by most strenuous efforts in training officers and men in the work that it was carried on at all.
At the time of the signing of the armistice, 9,200 cadets had been enlisted for service, while 35,000 applications had been handled by headquarters and the various outstations.
Records and Personnel Supply
Unusually complete records of cadets and airmen enlisted were kept from the very commencement of work in Canada. Where documents were sent to officer in charge Records and the War Office, duplicates were always kept. For this reason no change in organization or administration was necessary when in September, 1917, the General Officer Commanding was appointed officer in charge Records for Canada.
The continuous growth of the Air Force in Canada has meant a corresponding growth in records. From time to time demands outgrew systems, and it became necessary to remodel, so as to conform to Imperial administration and yet dovetail with existing regulations and conditions in Canada.
