Air Vice-Marshall Howard
I was saddened this week to learn of the recent death of Air-Vice Marshal Peter Howard. Peter Howard was the commanding officer of the RAF Institute of Aviation Medicine when I joined its Thermal Physiology and Survival Section in the mid 1980s.
The physiological research carried out at the IAM was widely recognised as world class. Not only did it support the role of RAF Strike Command but many advancements in the safety of civilian air travel, too. Anyone who has ever travelled by air will have benefited from the work done by the IAM's scientists. The personal cooler we've been developing draws on the science undertaken at the RAF IAM.
I count myself as having been extremely fortunate to have trained there and, subsequently, being invited back to work there, eventually becoming their expert on microclimate (personal) cooling. My sympathies go to Peter Howard's family.
For a fascinating history of the RAF IAM I can recommend "Into Thin Air" by Gibson and Harrison.
Publisher: Robert Hale Ltd (Feb 1984)
ISBN-10: 070901290X
ISBN-13: 978-0709012900
And for a shorter history covering the years 1946-2000...click here