# Aviation Act of 1917

Aviation Act of 1917 was a United States military appropriations bill authorizing a temporary increase for the United States Army Signal Corps. The Act of Congress authorized provisions for airship or dirigible operations governed by the U.S. Army Signal Corps Aeronautical Division. The legislation provided United States President Woodrow Wilson emergency authority for the maintenance, manufacture, operation, purchase, and repair of airships and associated aerial machines.

## Sections of the Act

In an attempt to meet the progressive necessities of World War I, House bill 5326 was penned as ten sections by the United States 65th Congressional session.
    Sec. 1 – Temporary Increase of Army Signal Corps and Aviation Sections
    Sec. 2 – Additional Commissioned Personnel Authorized
       Qualifications
       Appointments by U.S. President
       Appointments by U.S. President and Senate
    Sec. 3 – Additional Enlisted Men by Enlistment or Draft
       Age limit for men drafted
       Chauffeur grades created
       Chauffeur pay and rank
    Sec. 4 – Organization of Tactical Units
       Headquarters and detachment units
    Sec. 5 – General Officers Appointed for Staff and Other Duties
       Temporary appointments for created vacancies
    Sec. 6 – Rating of Aviators and Aeronauts
       Certificates of qualifications
       Examinations
       Ratings for service requirements
       Exceptions in war time
       Aeronauts rank increase
       Flight duty financial compensation
    Sec. 7 – Ratings of Enlisted Mechanicians
       Balloon mechanicians compensation
    Sec. 8 – U.S. Army Comprehensive Compensation
       U.S. Army troop strength levels
    Sec. 9 – Emergency Authority for Airships and Aerial Machines
       Buildings and motor vehicles
       Aviation stations
       Sites and buildings
       Use of public lands
       Improvements of sites
       Buildings and structures
       Water, lights, and plumbing
       Roads and wharves
       Subsistence equipments
       Fuel supplies
       Construction machinery and tools
       Special clothing
       Domestic and abroad travel expenses
       Vocational training
       Compensation for reserve officers and enlisted personnel called into service
       Pay accounts
       Development of airplanes and engines
       Manufacturing plants maintenance
       Schools for aviation technical instructions
       New equipment exchanges
       Foreign instructors travel compensation within the United States
    Sec. 10 – Appropriation

## Associated United States Federal Statutes

United States legislation for the governance, service, and training of airships designed and developed for military operations.
U.S. Statutes for Aviation Standards :
| Date of Enactment | Public Law No. | U.S. Statute No. | U.S. Bill | U.S. President |
| July 18, 1914 | P.L. 63-143 | 38 Stat. 514 | H.R. 5304 | Woodrow Wilson |
| June 24, 1926 | P.L. 69-422 | 44 Stat. 764 | H.R. 9690 | Calvin Coolidge |
| February 23, 1927 | P.L. 69-629 | 44 Stat. 1105 | S. 5622 | Calvin Coolidge |
| May 11, 1928 | P.L. 70-366 | 45 Stat. 498 | H.R. 5465 | Calvin Coolidge |
| February 16, 1929 | Pub. Res. 70-87 | 45 Stat. 1222 | H.J.Res. 153 | Calvin Coolidge |
| March 2, 1929 | P.L. 70-994 | 45 Stat. 1530 | H.R. 16539 | Calvin Coolidge |