Repository: UIHistories Project: Dedication - Willard Airport [PAGE 10]

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temperature, special sense acuity, muscular coordination, work capacity, and mental alertness and fatigue. The fighting services are subjected to an extreme range of temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure, varying from arctic cold to tropical desert and jungle heat, from atmospheric pressures at sea level to the low pressures and temperatures of high altitude flying. In the over-all development of aeronautical educational and research programs the biological sciences have an important place. Since 1937 the University of Illinois has been developing a group research program in its Colleges of Medicine, Agriculture, and Engineering to study the influence of atmospheric environment on humans and animals. One of the most important services of the University of Illinois Airport will be to provide flight training in civilian, military, and naval aeronautics. The program in civilian aeronautics will include flight instruction and vocational training. The University has already applied to the War Department for the establishment of an Air Corps unit of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. The United States Navy has recently established a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps at the University, and the Airport will be available for any use the Army and Navy desire to make of it as a part of their training programs. The University of Illinois Airport has been made possible by Acts of the General Assembly of Illinois appropriating funds for the purchase of land and the construction of buildings, enabling legislation authorizing the Board of Trustees of the University to enter into the necessary negotiations and contracts with the United States Government, and a grant of

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