The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-24
OUR STATE THE FIRST TO MAKE
 AIRSHIP RULES
Comprehensive Bill Regulating Flying Machines Advocated by A. Holland Forbes

All indications point to the fact that Connecticut will be the first State in | the Union to adopt law regulating the flying of airships. and protecting
 private citizens from danger at the
 hands of amateurs who are learning to fly. oThe law which seems likely of pass age. as it is unopposed and meets with Governor Baldwin's ideas. was presented yesterday before the Judic- iary committee at Hartford as sub stftute for a measure introduced by Senator Spellacy.
 The proposed bill is the work of A. Holland Forbes of Fairfield, president of the Aero Club of Connecticut. and a prominent member of the Aero 1 Club of America
 It contains many interesting provis- l ions, among them one requiring that amateur aviators who are mastering 1 the science shall fly over their own l properly only. or over property where they have the written permission of | the owners.
 This is for the benefit of the gen. eral public and is aimed to prevent ambitious but clumsy aviators from crashing through skylights or falling 1 into somebody's tomato patch. A second very interesting feature of
  shall have passed test prescribed by the State, he shall be provided with license from the State on the pay ment of g fee and then shall be privileged to fly whersoeyer he pleases.
 It is recommended that the States test be the same required by the In- ternational Aeronautic Federation for its licensed pilots-tF1e turning of the figure eight within certain limits,
 around pilons. and also rise to a
 heietht of 70 meters and then land at
 a. certain spot previously designated.
 As to the responsibility for accf-
 dents, that is placed solely on the H.
 censee of the flying machine. The
 Forbes bill makes an aeronaut liable
 by his machine. If the airship is taken out by an agent of the licensee, the licensee is none the less liable.
 Mir Forbes has set Jan. 1, 1912. as the date for the bill to become oper- ative. His motive in doing this is to avoid interfering with any aspiring amateurs who are now attempting to master the fascinating art of flying, and to give ample time for preparation on the part of all those persons who are liable to come within the scope of the law.
 A maximum fine of s1oo and maxi mum imprisonment of six months IS provided for aviators who fail to com ply with the regulations.
 The registration of an airshfp is to cost the applicant $5; the examina- tion of the applicant is to cost not exceeding s25. and the license itself is to cost g.
 , Reckless driving is likewise pro- vided for. It is arranged that the Secretary of State may revoke an. aviator's license "for cause.''
 Like chauffeur. the pilot of an airship must carry his license with him and be prepared to show it when demand is made by the authorities.
 The subject of law regulating air. ships was touched upon by Governor Baldwin in his message. In compli- ance Senator Spellacy introduced a mea sure to cover the subject. It is probable that the Forbes bill will be accepted as a substitute however, as it meets the fullest approval of the Governor and covers the ground very thoroughly.
 MT. Forbes explained the measure very thoroughly before the Judiciary committee yesterday, and there was no opposition. 1t is probable that the bill will be reported favorably.