Evening Star Newspaper, June 30, 1929, Page 57

ARGTIC AIR ROUTE TO EURDPE URGED Michigan Geologist Declares | Iceland-Greenland Line Holds Most Hope. Rditor's Note—Prof. William H. Hobbs, distinguished scientist of the University of Michigan, who rescued the Rockford iyers, Hassell and Cramer, believes ransatiantic air travel must be devel- ceniand-Tceland route y Associated Press tation editor. Prof, Hobbs told many published facts of his vears of re- | search in Aretic wastes. | ANN ARBOR, Mich. (# —Prof. Wil- liam B. Hobbs of the University of | Mfl"‘"‘ who is laying tentative | Pl r & fourth expedition into | Greenland, believes that the only sat- isfactory solution to the problem of transatiantic airplane travel lies in the | Greenland-Iceland route. | “Since safety is the primary factor in mapping out a regular passenger air | route, the northern route across Green- lan d Iceland is the only one which offers a solution to the problem.” Prof. Hobbs says. “Weather conditions and winds in the Far Nogth are much more favorable than those encountered along the traditional ship lanes to Europe and the water jumps are much shorter and | Jess perilous.” | Believes Study Will Pave Way. Prof. Hobbs, the 64-year-old Michigan geologist who has a widespread repu- tation in his own field, sprung into in- ternational prominence last Summer when studies of his Greenland expedi- tion furnished flight data for the Rock- ford-Stockholm flight of Bert Hassell | and Parker Cramer. The Rockford | fivers were later rescued by Prof. Hobbs when they failed to reach their ‘Greenland base. “I believe the meteorological studies made In the three years we have gone to Greenland will lay the groundwork for establishment of a successful trans- atlantic air route,” he says. “We have made detailed studies of ajr_conditions in the vicinity of Mount Evans, our base. to a height of 18 miles above the earth—far higher than man can hope to ascend with his flying machines. “Instruments were sent up in some | of the kites and balloons, while most | of the observations were made from the | ground as we watched the balloons | ascend through the various air cur- rents. Some conditions found in Greenland are extraordinarily favorable to the needs of flyers. “We found that winds always blow paraliel to the fjords, or ice arms, which extend out into the sea, insuring | fiyers that they can land with ample runway privisions. If the winds ever blow across the fjords it would be | . dangerous, because of lack of landing space in that direction. But the flier | in Greenland can always rely upon winds that sweep parallel to the fjords. “A tall-wind, one of the most wel- come aids to flying, is always assured , for the fiyer who crosses Greenland if he knows the correct altitude at which to fly. Our studies have shown that the air blows out from the center of the Greenland ice cap toward the coastline. By turnishing the pilot with data on the altitude at which he should fly after taking off, it is possible to have & tail- wind all of the way. Clear Weather Prevails. “Clear weather prevails most of the time, with ideal conditions for flying. Heavy fogs, such as are common over the Atlantic route taken by Lindbergh, are not apt to add to the perils of the fiyer who crosses to Europe by way of Greenland, for they are not frequent. “The most serious hindrance to suc- cessful establishment of a regular air route by way of Greenland and Iceland lies in the difficulty of remaining in contact with the planes in flight by ra- dio. Since the days are very long in Greenland during the Summer, it is difficult to obtain results with radio be- cause of the disturbing factors in the sun's rays. We were not able to get into communication with Hassell and Cramer while they were in the air be- cause of this phenomena. CONGRESSIONAL AIRPORT TO GET IMPROVEMENTS Congressional Airport, located on the Rockville pike at Halpine, Md., a few ig] volving beacon, landing flood lights and obstruction lights are being installed. Although Congressional off the main available as an emergency base for air- mail operation, according to the field officials. The airport is located on the old Peter Wagner estate and is said to be one of the largest flying fields in Maryland. Construction of an aircraft manu- facturing plant in which it is proposed to build twin-motored cabin monoplanes for commercial purposes has been planned as the first commercial unit adjacent to the airport. Sightseeing flights, student instruction and com- :l:‘sflll operations are conducted at the THE Prof. William H. Hobbs (inset) sees a great future for air travel to Europe by way of Greenland. In an expedition to the Arctic, Prof. Hobbs’ | the fiyers Hassell and Cramer near the mouth of the Sondre Strom! party rescued jord (above) . EXPERTS SEE WAR DEPARTMENT 'MOVE TO WORLD AIR LEADERSHIP EAwards of Contracts for Experimental Type Planes Are Believed to Be Step Toward Command Recent awards by the Army Air Corps of contracts for a new type of experimental two-seater pursuit plane and for two new experimental recon- naissance planes of & type never before seen are seen by aviation experts as a determined effort by the War Depart- ment to seek a position of world leader- ship in speedy military planes of the most advanced types. ‘The contract for the pursuit plane, which is to be of unprecedented design, has been awarded to the Berliner-Joyce Aircraft Corporation of Baltimore, which recently was moved to the Balti- more airport from Alexandria, Va. The reconnajssance plane contract was awarded to the Fokker Co., which is to produce two very fast twin-motored planes cepable of carrying a crew of three to heights beyond the range of any fighting ship now in the service. New Ship to Cost $65,000. The Berliner-Joyce contract was awarded after a competition among air- plane manufacturers in all parts of the country and the new ship is to cost approximately $65,000. Up to the present time the Army Air Corps has based its aerial tactics on the use of squadrons of fast single- seater pursuit planes, which have been regarded as the backbone of the air forces. All pursuit planes in the past have been the single-seater type and the new experimental type is regarded by many as a daring innovation. ‘The new plane is designed for speeds in excess of the standard single-seaters now in the fighting squadrons and it also is expected to outclimb them. A newly developed light metal is to be used in the wings and body of the ship, which will be powered by a Curtiss engine. The Baltimore plant also is working on two new type experimental planes contracted for by the Navy Bureau of of Military Craft. Aeronautics. One is to be a high-speed single-seater fighting plane constructed almost entirelv of duralumin, a light aluminum alloy. Although it is de- signed along racing plane lines, the ship is said to afford unusually good visibility to the pilot. Light Observation Plane, ‘The other Navy experimental plane is | to be a light iwo-seater observation ship to be used on the small catapults now installed on most of the battle- ships and cruisers. It is to be powered with a 325-horsepower Wright radial air-cooled engine and is expected, be- cause of design and reduction of weight, to have a performance equal to that of existing observation planes of higher power but greater weight. ‘The three Army experimental planes will be sent to Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, the Army Air Corps material di- | vision, for exhaustive trials to deter- mine ‘their suitability for adoption as standards for the Army. The two Navy experimental types will be test-flown at the Anacostia Naval Air Station, it is anticipated. Test flights now are being conducted there with three other new Na t{u planes. They are the giant -1 patrol boat, said to be the largest sea- plane in the United States; a PN-11 patrol boat of the famous Navy PN se- ries, and a Martin diving bomber, Detalls of the characteristics and performance of new Army and Navy planes are closely guarded military se- crets, and_ if any of the five new ex- perimental types just contracted for are successful, these details will remain ncunmf-»lefi;%lmuflamm accepted formally. The Berliner-Joyce plant also has been awarded a contract for 100 pon- toons for the present-type Navy tram- ing pianes. CONDITIONS FACING FLYER IN CLOUD CLIMBING PICTURED Just what are the conditions encoun- tered by an airplane pilot in climbing up through a layer of clouds? An interesting description of condi- tions encountered during a recent flight, with a complete set of m%mtrn- ments aboard the plane, is included in a report just received here by the N: Bureau of Aeronautics from the onl the aircraft squadrons of the Asiatic ect. The flight was made to an altitude of 11,451 feet on a day when the sky was overcast with cumulus clouds. At every shock: 1,000 feet the plane was leveled off for two and one-half minutes for observa- tion purposes. “Some interesting phenomena were experienced in this ascension,” it is stated in the report. “The top of the main haze layer was found at 8,000 feet. ‘Phen there ws a clear stratum for the next 1,000 feet. But at 9,000 feet a shallow lid of haze of about 300 feet depth was climbed through.” The instruments showed an increase ture at 9,000 feet, continuing through this top layer of haze. The vapor pressure, which is an index of humidity, also increased and was much greater at 9,000 feet than at any alti- tude above 6,000 feet. “After the peak of vapor pressure at 9,000 feet,” the report continues, “the pressure fell off rapidly to zero at maximum altitude of 11,451 feet.” The flight was made in a Navy UO plane, the mm&mh being suspended between struts i a -suspension cage, which eliminared virtually all vibration, even when taxi- ing on the 'r';und " Aviation Show Scheduled. ROCHESTER, N. Y.—The 1920 In- dustrial Exposition, to be held here in September, will be featured by an avia- tion show. The local exposition is held during Labor day week and usually of tem| attracts large crowds from widely scat- tered areas. N 30x31; Cl. 31x4 S. 32x4 33x4 32x413 33x4 1% 30x5 33x5 906 Penna Ave. N.W, PRICES 10th & H Sts, N, E. DOWN FOR THE HOLIDAYS! Don’t let your old worn-out tires spoil your holiday trip. We are offering FEDERAL TIRES at unheard- of LOW PRICES. A visit to any of our 4 vince you that we are saving you from 257 to 40%. FEDERAL TIRES Are Now Guaranteed for 18,000 Miles Against All Defects HOLIDAY Specials Tire .$3.85 7.45 7.95 8.45 10.50 10.75 13.50 .13.95 Tube $0.79 1.35 1.45 1.50 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.75 | 33x6.00 We have a large assortment of Goodrich, Good‘yol‘r, Fire- stone and U. S. Tires at the lowest prices in the city. STANDARD TIRE and BATTERY CO. 14th & R. I. Ave. N.W., HOLIDAY Speci FIRST - GRADE stores will con- 1 Tire 7.45 14th & Monroe Sts. N.' SUNDAY ! climb, ceiling, Janding speed and other ) SIXU. S. COLLEGES TOTEST AIRPLANES Standard Code Is Adopted for Aeronautical En- gineering. Six American universities specializing in aeronautical engineering research | have been selected by the Aeronautical | Chamber of Commerce to test commer- cial airplanes in accordance with a new code of procedure on standard per-| formance. | The code is expected to provide manu- facturers with a standard basis upon | which to compute the speed, rate of | performance data. It was drawn up by | a committee of the chamber headed by Prof. Alexander Klemin of New York University. The lack of a universal code today has resulted in a_wide range of inac- curacies in the plane performance re- sults obtained and advertised, experts say. Six Schools Named. STAR, WASHINGTON. D. C., The universities selected are New York University, the University of | Michigan, Purdue University, Stanford | University, the University of Washing- | ton and ‘the California Institute of | Technology. Officials of these institu- | tions have accepted the designation of | their organizations for the work and | are prepared to start the first of the | standard tests at an early date, it was | announced. “The universities designated will un- dertake to have in readiness at all | times. the necessary instruments and apparatus and to be in a position to give reasonable service to manufac- turers,” Prof. Klemin said. “Pilots for the planes to be tested may be selected by the manufacturer, but they must be licensed by the Department of Com- merce. Qualified observers will be furn- ished by the universities, which will receive a certain remuneration for their work in making each test.” The manufacturer may ssk for any or all of the following tests to be con- ducted: High speed, climb to 10,000 feet, celling, angle of initial climb, length of take-off, time to take off, length of landing run, landing speed, minimum speed with power on and minimum speed with power off. Tests Are Specific. e ‘Th shall be and setting of propellers | packages to towns possessing afirport e same for all tests and shall | facilities within a radius of 200 miles, JUNE 30, Woman Smokers Aboard Plane Are Hit by Passenger OAKLAND, Calif. (#)—The first complaint against smoking on air liners has been made to the Boeing Transport System. A Stockton man, leaving bis signature off the letter, wrote he was celebrating his seventy-eighth birthday anniversary with a ride over the Slerra Nevada Moun- tains, but that woman smokers spoiled some of his fun. It didn't look right, he said, and the company shouldn't tempt its passengers by putting ash trays near each seat of the air- plane. not be changed for different tests. In | the case of multi-engined planes, per- formance tests may be made with one or more of the engines not in action. The code gives specific technical direc- | tions to the universities on how the | tests must be conducted in order to be considered standard. The Aeronautical Chamber of Com- | merce committee which developed the | code included: Prof. Harold Bateman, | California Institute of Technology: | Walter Beech, Travel Air Co.; A. J.| Edwards, formerly of Prudden-San Diego Airplane Co.: C.S.“Casey” Jones, Curtiss Flying Service; Prof. Alexander Klemin, New York University; Prof. E. P. Lesley, Stanford University; Prof. F. W. Pawlowski, University of Mich- igan; Maj. Clarence M. Young, director of seronautics of the Depariment of Commerce; Prof. Willlam A. Bevan, | Purdue University: Paul M. Boyd, Cur- tiss Aeroplane and Motor Corporation, and William N. Miller, Joyce-Berliner Aircraft Corporation. ECONbMY FLI(;HT MARK. 730-Mile Trip Made by Plane on 37 Gallons of Gasoline. ST. LOUIS (#).—An economy record for distance flying is claimed here for Lieut. Hez McClellan, Army aviator, who flew a fleet training plane from Buffalo to St. Louis, averaging 20 miles per gallon of gasoline. McClellan piloted the ship 730 miles in 8 hours 45 minutes without refuel- ing. His average speed was 85 miles an hour. Only 37 gallons of gas and one quart of oil were consumed. P ek DT A Store Delivers Goods by Air. An up-to-date Buffalo, N. Y., depart- ment store now gives aerial delivery of 1926—PART 4. AVIATION'S GROWTH HALED BY LANONT Increased Interest in Flying Extraordinary Within Last 18 Months. ‘The aeronautics branch of the De- Partmem of Commerce will complete its third year of service July 1. During that period the growth of aviation in the United States nas raised the aero- nautical industry from its former com- paratively unimportant rank to a posi- zl?n as one of the Nations' great indus- ries. In the opinion of Secretary of Com- merce Lamont, the growth of commer- cial aeronautics during the past three years constitutes one of the country's outstanding achievements. During 1928, Secretary Lamont stated, commercial airplanes in this country flew 70,500,000 miles, Figures for the first six months of this year indicate that the 1929 mileage flown will be nearly double the tremendous 1928 total. Reviews Record. In reviewing the three years' activi- tles of the aeronautics branch, Secre- tary Lamont said: “During this period & number of historic flights have been made, both oceans have been spanned by aircraft and the foundations have been lald for a great transportation sys- tem over which swift merial carriers will bear their cargoes of mali, express and passengers to every corner of the globe.” Sonie of the increases shown in Sec- retary Lamont’s report are startling. On | July 1, it is estimated, commercial air~ planes in this country will be flying 70,000 miles daily on scheduled trans- port operations, as compared with 26,606 miles six months ago and 10,830 miles on December 31, 1926. ‘The rate at which American citizens are taking to the air as passengers on the commercial air liners is increasing tremendously. It is estimated that dur- ing the first six months of the current year 40,000 persons have flown as paid passengers, as against only 35,000 for Al of last year, 8,679 in 1927 and 5,782 in 1926. The amount of express and freight carried by air this year is ex- ted to be nearly three times the 2,000,000 pounds carried last year, 45 Commercial Companies. ‘There are today 45 commercial trans- port companies operating in the United the year, 19 in 1927 and 14 in 1926. To care for the increasinr demand for pilots 575 aviation schools are oper- ating in the United States today, 100 new schools having been established during the past six months alone. When | the aeronautics branch was organized there were but 175 schools in the coun- pilot permits issued or pending where there was not one three years ago and only 545 18 months ago. Inspection of aircraft and examina- tion and licensing of pilots and avia- tion mechanics are carried out in the fleld by 60 Department of Commerce inspectors, who operate in the nine aviation districts into which the country has been divided. The physical fitness of pilots is determined by more than 700 medical examiners working in co-opera- tion with the inspection section. Many Registered. During the three years of its life the aeronautics branch proximately 65,000 licenses. lowing active licenses are in force to- day: Licensed pilots, 6,583; licensed mechanics, 5,673; licensed planes, 4,317, and identified planes, 2,880. Up to date 165 approved type certificates have been issued - for airplanes, 25 for en- gines and 28 for propellors. The seronautics research division | conducts research work for the promo- | | tion_of “aeronautics, using the_facilities of the Bureau of Standards. It is par- ticularly concerned with the develop- ment and improvement of aids to air navigation and the increasing of safety and comfort in fiight. Work now under way includes re- search on radio aids, airway and air- port_lighting investigations, wind-tun- nel research, methods for reducing air- plane noise, investigation of airplane fittings and testing of aircraft engines. PILOTS GET INSUF;\NCE. | Blanket Accident and Life Policies Issued to Student Group. | | . Student aviation pilots at many of | the leading American flying schools now are covered by blanket accident and life policies issued by the large insurance | companies. This is in marked contrast | to the attitude of insurance companies | a year or two ago in refusing policies to | student fiyers, Elimination of obsolete equipment and | insistence upon safety standards has | removed student training from the category of hazards avoided by the in- surance companies. South Carolina Airport Dedicated. Beaufort, S. C., has dedicated & new municipal airport. There are four run- ways, ranging in length from 1,800 feet | States, as against 37 at the beginning of | struction at the field. ry. ‘Today there are 8,081 student| to 3,000 feet. Hangars are under con- | g AIR LEGION SCHOOL GRADUATES WINNERS Two Who Passed at College Park Obtain Posts With Important Commercial Corporations. Two graduates of the District of Co- lumbia Air Legion Ground School, who took up_preliminary flying work at College Park, Md., the legion's fiying school, have left this city to take po- sitions with two of the country’s larg- est commercial air transport lines. William H. Hottell, who completed the ground course here and who was taking dual flying instruction at College Park, has. gone to Waynoka, Okla., as manager of the Transcontinental Air Transport flying field there. Waynoka is the western terminal of the eastern di- vision of the new air-rail line, which is to begin active passenger operations July 8. “Like it just fine out here,” Hottell wrote to fellow students in the legion. “People in this neck of the woods are air-minded. Getting in some time mew and then and hope to have a ship of my own before very long.” Roy A. White, also a student pilot and mechanic, has been employed by Pan-American Airways as a flying me- chanic on the Miami-Havana air mail and passenger line. He left the Na- tional Capital this week. Pests Destroyed by ‘Dust’ From Air ‘Worms and other agricultural pests are checked by the use of airplanes for conducting “dusting” operations. The poison, in fine powder form, is dusted economically and effectively from the air. A plane can thoroughly dust 100 acres in 10 minutes, it has been found, and three dustings a season are suf- ficient to keep ordinary insect pests under control. [~ AviaTion Fastest growing indus tunities 10 become - a Blion e AiSBloee Engine rplane Mechanic, Mechanie, or Factory at ouble those paid Salesman, Executive D uSityMls, Lasion ofters vou salaries d - iniaries in other in The ortunity to train for re time at alf the Each day tha an opportunity all e omce for ‘our ortunily questionnaire. ). C. AIR LEGION 1319 F St. N.W. 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