The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-05-06
AERONAUTS' SCHOOL
OPENS IN GERMANY
Science of Air Navigation to
Be Taught at
Chemnitz.
instruction in France at
Clubs and in
Army.

Germany. the home OF the higher
education" has gone up a few feet more
in culture. II has tablished a school
10 teach ballooning and aeronautics in
general.
According TO the prospectus Of this
new institution OF learning which is
situated IN ChemnitZ, the ambitious
young man may, for the moderate price
OF SifJ, learn ali about splitting the
clouds wide open with balloons. and
may Incidentally. hear lectures and
learn things about every sort of known
craft which naVigates or attempts 10
navigate the treacheTOus spaces OF the
empyrean.
VINO has conveyed the Information about
TINS new school 10 the United States
Government In his special report 10
the Government he says:
Course Of Study.
"AlI arrangements have now been per
fected Tor the opening Of the new school
on May !, 1907. The director. Herr Paul
Spiegel. has made over 500 ascents. He
has done much by public lectures and
otherwise TO awaken interest n aerial
navigation In variCLs parts OF Germany,
but especially IN ChemnItz, where he IS
well known as q textile manufacture.
Recently he has enlarged his business
SO As 10 include the regular manufac-
ture OF balloons.
The curriculum Of the new school is
announced. as follows:
Division 1--Q) Calculation Of vol
umes; % the cutting Of the materials
or q balloon, CD preparation OF lmper-
meable fabrics; % construction of nets;
% safety valves; 90 lectures on the
theory OF aerial navigation.
Division 2.-Q) Imitation Of balloons;
% ascent OF passengers, 90 physical in
struments employed, 90 meteorological
observations; 90 Independent manage
ment Of balloon; 90 lectures on the
problems OF aerial navigation, dirigible
balloons, aerOplanes, and motors
AS is evident from the above sched-
ule. study and practical training will
be confined almost exclusively 20 the
field Of balloon construction ana navi-
cation.
In view Of the rapid development in
the construction Of aerOplanes Il Is a
question whether the nondirigibIe bal
loon viii be in any extended use ten or
twenty years hence. However that may
be, there is no doubt that the time is
ripe for the training Of a class Of men
familiar with the problems of aerial
navigation, accustomed TO traverse the
air with holiness and confidence, and
meet promptly and effectively the eper-
gencies and accidents which are Incl
dent 10 practical aeronautics-'
Training in France.
Consul General Frank II. Mason, of
Paris. reports on the progress being
made in France in the training Of aero
nauts and construction of balloons, as
follows:
There is in France. strictly speaking,
no school for the training Of aeronauts
and constructors of airships in which
a definite and prescribed course Of study
or lectures is pursued. Such instruction
and practice in aerostation as are offer
ed here are provided by clubs and by
the government in connection with the
military service. There are in Paris
four rather important aerOnautical So
cieties or ballooning clubs. and five
similar organizations elsewhere in
France These clubs We're created for
the promotion and practice of ballooning
as a sport as well as for scientific study
and experiment, and in general for the
encouragement of all that pertains to
aerOstation.
In some of these young men are
given practical training. taught the
theory Of construction and use OF bal
looms, and instructed practically con-
corning balloon materials and parts.
such as the net, anchor. basket, the
guide rope, valves, the tying of ropes.
knots etc, the preparation of the bal
loon for an ascension and the care and
return of the material after descend
ing. Under csTtain circumstances these
pupils-whO IRE always members of the
club-may take part in ascensiOns. learn
how 20 handle the balloon in the air,
and descend under different conditions
of daylight and weather. II they ac-
duire a certain efficiency in all this and
pass a prescribed examination. they are
permitted, when drawn for military ser
vice, 20 enter the Battalion d'Aerostiers.
or balloon corps OF the army. This bat
talon is established in what Is known
as the Menagerle' the old geological
garden, formerly belonging to the palace
and park at Versailles. and located be-
tween that city and the military school
at st. Cyr."