Evening star., 1912-09-22
Suggested Purchase of Permanent
Practice Field Located Near the
National Capital

partment. He remained in the air until
GAP. when it was quite dark, and then
came down. He said the motor had be-
haved very satisfactorily.
There was no flying at the Washington
barracks hydro-aeroplane school yester-
day evening. 1t had been expected that
pontoons would be placed on the type G
Wright machine, and that Lieut. Harry
Arnold would fly it. Darkness fell before
the workmen could get the change made.
and the flight had to be postponed till
tomorrow.
Plans for the Winter.
With the approach of winter plans are
discussed for continuing the aviation
work in a more favorable latitude. There
will be ten additional officers detailed to
the aviation corps There are ten
already. Who the new men will be has
not yet been determined. There has been
more difficulty in getting officers for the
detail than there was at first. and sew
eral of those who made application
months ago and passed the preliminary
examina ton have been offered places and
have declined. There is no doubt felt
that there will eventually be men enough
secured. but there is by no means the
rush to the flying squad that there was
at first
With the coming of the new officers
the flying detail will be split. The Pa
cfic coast has been clamoring for avia-
tors I'm the army there. When the ma
neuvers OF the western division were re-
Gently held the department of the west
applied for aviators. but the men ana
machines We're not availa BILE. Then the
department applied by wire for leave to
employ civilian aviators, but this was
not practical, because, in addition to be-
ing fiers. the military observers have to
have technical training that the civil
ian aviators. however good they are, do
not have.
Division Certain.
Now that there are more men availa-
ble the flying detail undoubtedly will be
divided between the east and west. 1t
is practically settled that the hydro
aeroplane station in the west shall be at
San Diego. which is the best winter To-
cation i'm the world. The eastern contin-
gent will be divided into land and water
f1iers. Some of the hydroaeroplanes will
be sent to the Florida coast and will be
used from the big floating hangar that
is now planned for the army.
1t is intended that there shall be an
other winter camp for land machines at
Augusta, there was last year. though
1t is possible that the experience of the
w
Augusta may drive the aviators further
south.
Nothing has been definitely decided
about transporting the eastern machines
south, but some of the officers are anxious
to fly from Washington to Augusta. They
point out that there are both men and
machines at command for the trip. The
journey is only 800 miles, with available
landing places on the route, and the pas
senger machines this year are much more
competent to make the jump than those
In use last year. 1t is held that this
demonstration in the cross-country avail
ability of the aeroplane Will do the art
as much if not more good among the
aviators personally.
Plans are being seriously considered
for buying permanent aviation field
for the army in the neighborhood OF
Washington. The field at College Park
is rented with the privilege of renewal
for term of years, but the holders of
the ground have not shown much dispo-
sition to sell and the government Is not
inclined to spend much money on the
permanent Improvement of rented prop
erty.
Sites in Nearby States Considered.
1t Is not regarded as necessary to have
the field in the confines Of the District.
1t may be that some place will be found
ably close to Washington. What the
army would like to get would be tract
of 600 acres. or possibly more. A part
of il, at least would need to be level
to furnish good landing field. 1t would
not necessarily have to be cleared at the
time of purchase. because. if bought at
reasonable figure, 1t could he cleared
and improved gradually. Here there
would be not only hangers, but perIna-
nent shops and facilities for doing a GER
tain amount Of laboratory work. such as
was especially applicable TO the tech
nical needs Of the army.
1t would take an act of Congress and
cooperation with the state where the
field should be located to secure q gov
ernment reservation Of this sort but It is
believed In the army that this is possible
and will bc done within the next two
years.