Screaming during loop

[Biff]

I seem to remember years ago reading that WWI pilots would deliberately scream while doing an inside loop, in order to keep blood in their heads to avoid passing out (centripital force being the issue here). Is this true?

[Doc]

Yes, generally. But, the scream was really on the downward dive as you are starting to pull up, not at the top of the loop. It also was relatively ineffective. It is better to increase your chest pressure against a closed glottis (in other words, try to scream without letting out any air or sound). This is the basis of the M-1 anti-G straining maneuver which pilots are still taught to use today.

Unfortunately, I can't directly answer your question, as I hjave no idea whether it was actually used in WWI. Doc

[Hans]

I did not found it necessary to do it during the usual loops in a standard stunt flight - but we did not pull more than 4G . How much did the WWI pilots?

[Barrett]

I used to date the daughter of an ace. She asked, "Do you like to scream? I do." Before I could organize my thoughts as to the context she had in mind, she added, "Roller coasters are fun!"

I didn't know whether to be disappointed or relieved.

[Barrett]

"I don't understand the question!"