Evening Star Newspaper, March 17, 1929, Page 66

AVIA BY JOSEPH PPOINTMENTS which have been made to date as a re- sult of the change of ad- ministration have been a source of great satisfaction to those interested in the further- ance of aeronautics, especially the military phases of aeronautics. The matter of appointments which may affect civil aviation still remains somewhat unsettled. One of the greatest single écauses for rejoicing among flying people in general has been the re- appointment of Rear Admiral William A. Moffett as chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy De- artment. This reappointment, oupled with the appointment of David G. Ingalls, former Navy pi- ot, as Assistant Secretary of the avy for Aeronautics, gives prom- ise of bright days ahead for naval mviation in the opinion of many Navy flying people. The reappointment of F. Trubee Davison as Assistant Secretary of War for Aeronautics is as great a source of pleasure fo the Army Air Corps as that of Admiral Moffett has been to the Navyflying forces. McCracken to Leave. TION S. EDGERTON. to Mr. MacCracken, but promptly put a quietus to the rumors by accepting an appointment as technical adviser to the aeronau- tics branch. In view of the rapid growth of commercial aeronautics at the present time and the importance of having a strong and able head Department of Commerce, no questions of political considera- into the matter of appointing the new Assistant Secretary. Aero- nautics people seem to be satis- fied that President Hoover, whose interest in commercial aviation was evident while he was Secre- tary of Commerce and whose re- pugnance to purely political ap- pointments has become apparent since March 4, will see to it per- sonally that the appointment is based on merit and qualifications for service. . The reappointment of Admiral Moffett was made in the face of opposition from old-line Navy people. Aeronautical people, both in and out of the service, how- in charge of its destinies in the | tion should be permitted to enter | ever, worked openly and vigorous- | THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, MARCH 17, 1929 AIRPORTS EVERY [0 MILES URGED Creation of System Would Aid Aviation Progress, Experts Advise. Creation of a system of airplane |landing fields not more than 10 miles | | apart in all directions throughout the | United States is urged by the Daniel | Guggenheim Fund for the Promotion | of Aeronautics, in a memorandum issued to organizations Interested 1In aeronautics throughout the country. | Following this system would require | the setting aside for landing fields or | but 3 per cent of the area devoted 1o | railroads and roads in this country, | it is estimated by officials of the or- ganization. “Aviation in America, measured In terms of aircraft factories and air- jon memorandum, ‘very greatly exceeds | the aggregate of the rest of the worla. This development has taken place with- out Government subsidy and in typically American manner of private enterprise. Commercial air transporr has reached its present comparatively satisfactory state without the hundreds of millions of dollars that the rail-| roads enjoyed from Federal and State aid in their pioneering days, and with- out the hundreds of milllons of acres ot | lands granted to them. 'ART 4. SUPER BEACON IS GIVEN TRIAL. AT CLEVELAND CITY AIRPORT AIR LINES SHOW BIG TRAFFIC GAIN Number of Passengers Car- ried in 1928 Is Four Times Greater Than in 1927. ‘The number of airplane passengers carried on regularly scheduled flights during the past year increased more than four times over the total for 1927, while the mileage flown by passenger | planes increased by 100 per cent, ac- | cording to & summary of the aeronauti- | cal events of last year issued this week by the Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce. ¢ Air transport companies engaged in the carrying of passengers in this | country in 1928 operated 294 planes and |flew a total of 10,472,024 miles on | scheduled flights. These figures repre- | sent an increase over 1927 of 420 per | cent in the number of passengers car- ried and 100 per cent in mileage flown “This tremendous increase” the chamber stéted, “was accempanied by |a three-fold increase in air mail | poundage. In 1027 the air lines in the | United States carried 1,222,843 pounds | of mail., In 1928 they carried 3,632,059 | pounds. 24 Transport Lines. “In 1926 there were only 19 operators ——— Night Pilot Flies 190 Miles an Hour During Windstorm NEW YORK (P).—It's an ill wind that blows no good. While hundreds of New Yorkers were complaining of the gale-like wind which swept into the city from the south, Donald Johnston, air mail pilot, was riding the wind through the night at the rate of 190 miles an hour. Johnston made his night trip from Richmond to New York in 98 minutes flying time. ‘The usual _time for the trip is more than 3 hours. SEAPLANE TERMINAL | LONG ISLAND OUTLOOK IR | American Aeronautical Association‘, Plans Operation of $1,000,000 | Base NEW YORK (#).—The American | Aeronautical Corporation. organized to | manufacture, sell and operate the Ital- | inan seaplane Savioa Marchetti. plans | the expenditure of $1,000,000 for a sea- plans, base and_air terminal at Port Washington, on Manhasset Bay. | Sixteen acres have been purchased. lincluding a wide water front on the | | east side of the bay. which is sheltered | from storms and free from ice in Win- | CHICAGO EXPECTS 160 PLANES DAILY Mail-Carrying Craft in Five Years May Number Seven an Hour. CHICAGO, March 16.—Far-sighted Chicagoans are preparing for the time when 150 or more airpianes, carrying 1.000 pounds of mail each, must lanc and take off dally within the bounds of their eity. That this condition will arise is a certainty. It is well known that high officials in the Post Office Department expect that all first-class mail will be carried by planes within the next five years. Chicago now has nine mail-carrying air lines terminating at the municipal airport, which is 13 miles from the Loop district, where the city's business centers. These lines carry two-thirds of the air mail now being transported in the United States. To handle the increase in volume which will result from the gradual transferring of all first-class mall to air channels, the Chicago Aero Com- mission, of which Col. Paul Henderson is chairman, plans a great landing fleld on the lake front, within 5 minutes of the Loop district. The project will cost $13,000,000, it is estimated. A square mile of Lake Michigan, extending out ly for his continuance in office of air transport lines, the majority of | ter. | from the foot of Sixteenth to the foot The most important aeronauti- eal appointment yet to be made ic that of a successor to William P. MacCracken, jr., Assistant Secre- tary of Commerce for Aeronautics. The post is onle of the greatest im- ortance to commercial aeronau- ics. been virtually ino open campaign- ing for any prospective candidate nor have there been any candi- dates publicly seeking the office. Mr. MacCracken, who has as many friends in the aeronautical world as any man ever has had, is awaiting only the appointment of his successor to step out into the commercial air field. He has not announced what his connec- tions will be after he leaves pub- lic life and has indicated that he will not make his decision known until he actually steps out. It is well known, however, that several flattering offers have been made to him by the country’s largest commercial aviation = organiza- tions. Clarence M. Young, director of seronautics of the aeronautics branch of the Department of Commerce, has been suggested as the most logical successor to his chief. Mr. Young, who now is en- gaged in an aerial survey of the commercial airways and airports of Europe for the Department of Commerce, is thoréughly familiar with the trends and the needs of commercial aeronautics in this country and should be even bet- ter fitted for the task after com- pleting his present work in Eu- Tope. Refuses to Make Campaign. Mr. Young, however, has delib- erately refused to push himself for the appointment and will not sanction any campaign in his be- half, it is said by his friends. In making his trip to Europe at a time when the new administra- tion came into office Mr. Young has indicated by action as well as by word that he will have noth- ing to do with any movement to stampede the new Secretary of Commerce into making an ap- pointment. Col. Charles A. Lindbergh was mentioned as a possible successor. Despite tthis fact there has| for another four-year term. The National Aeronautics Association, breaking all precedents, came out in favor of the reappointment last January, when the board of gov- ernors adopted a resolution urg- ing the Secretary of the Navy and the President to retain Admiral MofTett in office. The association came out editorially in support of the reappointment in its official publication last month. | Ingalls Man of Experience. The Army and the Navy both are in the midst of five-year avia- tion programs, the Navy program including the construction of two huge rigid airships recently con- tracted for, which were authorized principally because of the effort: of Admiral Moffett. Mr. Ingalls comes into office with a sound experience in naval aeronautics to guide him in taking over the leadership of an organ- ization with which he was made thoroughly acquainted in the days of its creation. Not only does he know naval aeronautics from the viewpoint of the man inside, but he has broadened his judgment by his activities in behalf of commer- cial aviation since the war. The new Secretary of the Navy, Charles F. Adams, also is inter- ested in the development of aero- nautics and is expected to look with a friendly eye upon the ef- forts of his immediate subordi- nates to build up the naval avia- tion service to a point of maxi- mum efficiency. Secretary Adams is an uncle to Porter Adams, for- mer president and now a governor at large of the National Aeronau- tic Association. 2 Altogether the situation of the military air services appears bet- ter today, as a result of the open- ing of the Hoover administration, than it has for some time past, though this is not intended in any way as a criticism of the past ad- ministration. If the appoint- ments which have been made are any criterion of the treatment which the services may expect in the future, the next four years should find both arms of our aerial defense upon a sound foot- ing indeed. EPIC OF AVIATION IS EMBODIED IN SEARCH OF GRAND CANYON One of Most Hazardous Exploits of Past Year Is Reported to War Department. An aviation epic is embodied in a re- rt received by the War Department st week from two Army lieuten- ants who conducted a remarkable search from the air for Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Hyde, who set out early last Winter in a homemade scow to run the rapids of the Colorado River }gr!ouzh the Grand Canyon and were The aerial search, conducted by Lieuts. William G. Plummer and John Q. Adams, with Staff Sergt. Charles F. Fusz and Sergt. Frederick Weed, me- chanics, as observers, is described by Air Corps officers as one of the most daring and hazardous aviation exploits of the past year. The fiyers, in two Army O2-K ob- servation pla in the depths of the canyon, with rock walls on either side, under conditions where mechanical failure would have spelled death and where they were forced to rely upon their own skill and | the maneuverability of their planes to avold crashing into the cliffs while ne- gotiating sharp turns in the canyons. Wreck Suspected. ‘The Hydes left Green River, Utah, November 15 and were last seen three days_later at Bright Angel Trail, in the heart of the canyon. History re- cords but few successful trips through the canyon and when the couple failed to come out it was believed they had been wrecked in the canyon some 200 miles west of El Tovar, The aerial search began just one month after the couple was last seer, the two officers receiving orders to fly from March Field to Needles, Calif., and search the Colorado River north to Las Vegas, Nev. where they were to refuel and continue the search of the Scenic Airways Field near El Tovar. The little force was equipped to stay for an extended period. In each air- plane six blanket rolls containing food supplies were carried to be dropped to the lost couple in case the search proved successful The fiyers left Needles shortly after noon December 18 and, flying low over the river, began their search. Upon entering the first canyon, the planes were thrown about violently by turbu- lent air currents Misses Cable by Inches. Despite the danger and discomfort they kept on through the Boulder Can- yon dam site and on to Las Vegas| without finding any trace of the miss- g party. The next morning, after great difficulty in starting their cold motors, they took off about 10:30, and returned to the point where they had ceased their search the previous evening. While flying through Iceberg Canyon, Lieut. Adams, in the lead, saw a cable stretched across ahead with a car attached to it for crossing river. He pulled up violently to clear it and, looking back, saw that Lieut. Plummer had failed to see his maneuver and apparently did not see the wire, While he tched, helpless to avert the crash he felt was inevitable, Lieut. Plummer skimmed over the wire by & margin of inches. The canyon became more and more “Tugged.and g5 they fie, slgng nes, were forced to fly down | the | at,120; bouss. miles per hour the canyon walls tow- ered above them several thousand feet. At 11:30, while flying above the jagged first shelf of the canyon wall, Lieut. Adams discovered a boat ahead in mid- stream approximately 14 miles from the mouth of Diamond Creek. He pulled up to look it over, rising out of the bed of the canyon and circling overhead, but could see no signs of life. Exploration Work Lessened. He then continued some 75 miles on up the canyon, but, finding nothing, pulled up over the rim to locate him- self and after some difficulty located and landed on the snow-covered airport at El Tovar, being followed a few min- utes later by Lieut. Plummer. The leader of a searching party was | flown to the spot where the boat had been seen and was then brought back to the airport to lead a searching force | to the spot on foot and by boat. Dur- ing this search the Army pilots oper- | ated overhead to maintain communica- tion with the searchers below, this work |also being attended by great’ risk. | Although the missing couple could not be found, the use of airplanes lo- calized the area to be searched and materially lessened the work of thor- | oughly exploring the long and winding ;cnn.\'un. | AMPHIBIAN AIR TAXI BIDS FOR RECOGNITION NEW YORK ().—The amphibian air | taxi, designed to provide reasonable, | speedy air transportation for the busy man, is about to bid for recognition in | aviation. Because 24 of the 25 largest cities in the United States provide water bases | for amphibians within easy reach of the | downtown district, Coastal Airways, Inc., plans to build a four-passenger, inclosed- | cabin flying boat, with amphibian gear for taxi service. The plane will be sold on the installment plan to prospective | taxi operators for about $5,000. The boat is powered with the new Wright J-6 engine and will have a speed of more than 100 miles an hour. Ezio De Angelis is executive chair- man of Coastal Airwayss AIRCRAFT COMPASS TEST. A series of highly successful tests in alrcraft compass work has been con- ducted with a high-frequency radio transmitter at the Marine aviation | base at Quantico, Va. the Navy De- partment has announced. The' radio oratries at Bellevue, D. C. The range of the high {requency set has been unsually great and communi- cation was established recently with 'l‘d” Ni 17 be. anagua, Nicaragua, messages be- ing exchanged during s period of three | wings of an airplane at low speed. The Need for Indirect Ald Arises. “There is, however, a growing need | for indirect assistance by the Govern- ment, particularly in airports. That the fulfillment of this need neither is impractical nor expensive is 1n\ik‘n!l‘di by the fact that 3 per cent of the area devoted to raflroads and roads in this country would provide a comprehensive system of landing fields for aviation.” There are today only two outstand- ing factors holding back safe and un» versal flying, engineers of the fund ex- plained. One is a technical problem— namely, the loss of control due to the breakdown of the airflow over the solution of this problem is imminent, they state, if it has not already been solved. “The other problem,” they continue, “is a simple one; in fact, so simple that ke many obviotis matters, it has been eglected, and that is the provision of adequate terrain for the airplane to | land on wherever it may be in (hese‘ United States and whenever it may be | necessary. “We have hitherto been asking the impossible of aviation and, thanks to a highly developed skill in piloting and to superb mechanical progress in engine construction, aviation has been doing the almost impossible. We have been asking men to do what, with some rare exceptions, self-respecting birds would not consider for a moment; namely, flying over territory where they could not land with ease and safety when- ever it seemed wise to do so on account of weather conditions or other reasons. “If airports were located throughout this country at intervals of 10 miles in each direction an airplane would nor- mally never be more than a maximum of 5 miles from a landing fleld, or, in other words, would rarely be out of gliding distance ififlying at an altitude of 4,000 or 5,000 feet. Land Needs Insignificant. “The amount of land which this would require is insignificant in com- parison with the area devoted to the railroads or roads of the country. It is roughly, but conservatively, estimated that the w(all}‘nnd occg\e'l‘i.a railway right of way use Al n prop- erty is 21,550 square miles. The total area occupied by the Nation's roads and highways, according to the latest mile- age, and allowing a conservative width of 50 feet, is 28,500 square miles. “As against this area, represanted by roads and railways, amoun to a to- tal of 50,050 square miles, 1 flelds of no intermediate size—1, feet runways—as used by the air mail, placed 10 miles apart all over the country, would require only 1544 square miles, or about 3 per cent of the other figure. “One has but to fly over even the most thickly populated areas here in the East to realize how comparatively easily and cheaply land could be made available for a Nation-wide system of landing fields. Following close on the heels of the realization of such a system, flying would be the safest means of rapid and become uni- versal and social advan 3 gre: resources and h.'?.f' undeveloped terri- tories should make the inauguration of such a plan of special appeal to Ameri- cans.” W. D. TIPTON NAMED AIR SERVICE HEAD National Guard Man Becomes Pres- ident of Curtiss Flying Units, BALTIMORE, March 16.—William D. Tipton, commander of the Maryland National Guard Air Service, has been appointed head of the Baltimore unit of the Curtiss Flying Service, Inc. which has taken over the ss_of the Chesapeake Aircraft Co. of Balti- more. Operations here may be expected to begin by early Spring, it was announced. The Baltimore unit will conduct an aerial taxi service, cross-country flying, a service for the distribution of air- craft spare parts, aerial photography service and both primary and advanced courses in flying. ‘The Curtiss Flying Service will take over a franchise for the operation of passenger airplane lines terminating at Baltimore, held by the Chesapeake Alr- craft Corporation, as well as a fran- chise to operate a flying field at Nor- folk, Va., held by the Chesapeake con- cern. ! Curtiss Flying Service, Inc., is a Del- j aware corporation, capitalized at $6,750,- 000. Until a year ago it was known as the Curtiss Flying Service of New York and as such had but one airport, its | headquarters being at Curtiss Flying Field, Mineola, Long Island. The directors include G. Summer Ire- land, in charge of sales; H. Clay Fer- guson, in charge of operations, and E. L. Fries, in charge of business admin- istration. All of these men are listed as vice presidents. 64 CHANNELS RESERVED. Sixty-four channels in the 1,500-6,000 | kilocycle band have been reserved by the Federal Radio Commission for the use of radio stations to be employed in communication to and from aireraft. The airways division of the Depart- ment of Commerce is operating 28 sta- tions on frequencies in the 285-350- kilocycle band for Government weather, broadcast service and radio direction work and also has been assigned in- termediate and low frequency chan- |nels for point-to-point communications. Ten additional stations are being con- structed along the principal airways at intervals of about 200 miles, NEW CHAPTERS PLANNED. Senator Hiram Bingham of Connecti- cut, president of the National Aero- nautic Assoclation, plans to visit New York in the mear future to ascertain the desirability of organizing several chapters of the association in the met- ropolitan area, it has been announced at the national headquarters here. ‘The development of aeronautical ac- tivity in the New York area has occu- pled the attention of Senator m since he was elected presidént of the assoclation. He has held several con- »8e5pnoes. Dere, WAlh s, 40 ieie v £ New super beacon, designed to penetrate fog and aid fiyers in all kinds of weather, which has been installed at the Cleveland municipal airport, where it is undergoing tests. CLEVELAND (#).—Fog, the aviator's ‘worst enemy, gives way to the powerful beams of light projected into the air by a new form of airport beacon, say its designers. The-beacon, designed by engineers of the National Lamp Works of the Gen- eral Electric Co., has been erected at the Cleveland municipal airport, where it is undergoing further tests. Incorporated in this multilight unit are several principles of lighting, each sald to be a distinct aid to night pilots. It provides a fan of light which, when rotated, reaches the pilot at every angle that he may approach the field. One-half of the light fan is white and the other half red. The rotation. produces alternate red and white flashes which instantly attract the pilot's at- tention and enable him to identify the beams are project- 1040 and upwards New Chrysler ‘65" ~Six body styles priced Srom $1040 1> $1145. New Chrysler 75" —Nine priced from $1535 to $2345. Soo. b ed by the lower, drum-shaped units, of which there are four—two red and two white. These are identical in de- sign with those used to mark the air- ways. The upper units, set to project a less intense beam of light at higher angles, are standard, narrow-beam, floodlight projectors. Starts Air Photograph Library. Creation of a library of more than 1,000,000 aerial photographs as a refer- ence inventory of Canada’s resources | was predicted by the president of the | a report received here by the Depart- men of Commerce. During the past year 109,122 aerial photographs of this type were made and more than 250,000 | such photographs already have been made of various areas from the Atlan- Dominton Land Surveyors, according to | them being small individual enterprises. In 1927 the number had grown to 24, and the smaller operators were matue- | ing into fairly well organized air line companies, while the larger organiza- tions were beginning to show profits, with a steady increase in traffic. “At the end of the year 1923, the world was celebrating the twes fifth anniversary of human flight. there were 15128 miles of airways in the United States, two-thirds of that lighted and otherwise equipped for night flying. Over these routes 32 air line companies were operating on regular daily 'sched- ules, some of them both night and day, with traffic increasing at a steady and profitable rate, g “Twenty-two companies were operat- hile the Post Office Department | lines were to be in operation early in | 1020, average of 27,848 miles every 24 hours. Also Carry Passengers. “A number of mail contractors were also carrying passengers, or express, or both. Nine others, having no mail con- tracts in 1928, had confined their sched- tic to the Pacific Coasts. erein price “[ooé at This uled ng to passenger or exp: w72 i ing 33 airmail lines under contract with | Four new | Mail_planes were flying a_total | fairly sp The buildings to be erected at Port Washington must be ready by August to house the assembly plant and fac- tory of the company. but flying opera- tions, including a seaplane fiying school | and taxi service, are planned for early | | June. | Without exception all the air lines were in process of expansion. | "~ “Reports from all the operators hav- ing express contracts indicate a healthy | growth in business during the year. | Approximately 2,000 tons were carried. | Just as reduction of airmail postage on | August 1, from 10 cents to 5-cents for | | the first ounce, had the immediate | effect of filling mail planes with capa- | city loads, so were many factors cal- culated to increase the volume Of express. “Late in the year feeder lines were being developed to connect with the long haul systems. Regularity of ser- vice was constantly attracting public attention. Lack of accident on the air transport routes was convincing the shipper that his valuable parcels might be safely flown. . € Value CHRYSLER “65°° 2-Door Sedan, $1005 OTOR car value is always relative. Low price itself is of no merit if quality is low; but attached to a motor car of the quality of the great Chrysler “65,” low price takes on real importance. In the “65”" the finest classic principles have been translated into a new and mod- unapproached Wilyistsh sion engine, Al prices JSactory, ern type of beauty. At the same time, Chrysler genius in engineering has given this masterful car a range of power and a rhythm of motion at its price. With its 65-horsepower, high-compres- embodying the famous Chrysler “Silver-Dome’’ principle; with a counter-balanced 7-bearing crankshaft; Invar-Strut pistons with tung-tite rings, | of Thirty-first streets, will be fllled in. | The average depth of the lake in this area is 20 feet. In addition to this, the field must be built 7 feet above the water level. No hangars, repair shops or other obstructions will be erected on the lake front field. It will serve merely as a station for discharging and taking on mail. passengers or express. The old municipal fleld will be used as & sort of “round house” where hangars and repair shops will be maintained for storing and working on the planes. ‘The mail will be shot by the Post Office Department to and from the field by pneumatic tubes, eliminating the long delays which now take place during transfer of mail by trucks. (Copyright, 1929, by North American News- paper Alliance.) . Air mail service was inaugurated be- tween Santiago and Arica, Chile, by way of Ovalle, Copiapo, Antofagasta and Iquique, by the Chilean War De- partment recently, according to official advices to Department of Com- metce here. “Moth” planes are used, the trip taking 10 hours. and Impulse neutralizer, the Chrysler ““65"" offers the utmost in speed, accelera- tion, smoothness and endurance. Advanced Chrysler developments such as balanced front wheels and Chrysler weatherproof internal-expanding hydrau- lic 4-wheel brakes are a constant source of utmost driving safety. Rubber shock insulators on all springs, together with hydraulic shock absorbers, spell a welcome freedom from the jars and jounces of rutty, bumpy roads. Compare the great Chrysler “65," not with cars of similar price, but with much costlier cars. Then you will see how much the fineness of the car makes its 4w price seem even Jower. CHRYSLERG @cnxvsm-:n MOTORS PRODUCT H. B. LEARY, JR., & BROS. DISTRIBUTORS .Executive Offices and Service, 1612-22 You St. N. Salesrooms—1612-22 You St. N.W., Connecticut Ave. and Que St. N.W. and 10th and H Sts. .N.E. Chevy Chase Motor Co. . Frank H. Rowe Used Car Salesrooms—1321.23 Fourteenth St. N.W. Skinker Motor Co.