The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1914-10-15
AEROPLANE TEST
UNITED STATES TO DEVELOP
MACHINE BEST ADAPTED TO
MILITARY PURPOSES.

Washington, Oct. 15.-Tests are to
be carried out this week at the avia-
ton school of the United States army
at San Diego, Cal, for the purpose of
developing the aeroplane best adapt
ed to military purposes. All the lead
ing manufacturers of ~aeroplanes in
this country have been invited to
place their type of aeroplane in COM
petition at the San Diego grounds and
there has been about a dozen entries.
Since the European war began
there have been inquiries as TO the
extent of aerial work in the United
States army. Under the general di-
rection of Brigadier George p. Scriy-
en-, chief signal officer, and the i'm
mediate command OF Capt. A. s.
Cowen, there are now in training at
San Diego twenty-one officers and
about ITO enlisted men and civilians.
An important adjunct is the staff of
expert civilian employees including
a~eronautical engineers, highly trained
machinists and engine builders, some
of whom receive salaries as high as
$4,000 per annum. The corps is
equipped with ten aeroplanes and fly
ing boats and will soon be in posses
sion of four more now under con
struction.
If in the coming test at San Diego
five or more machines qualify under
the conditions which the war depart
ment will set, the government will
purchase the three which make the
greatest number of points, agreeing
TO pay $4,000 for the first, $40, 900
for the second and $4,000 for the
third. The experience of the aviators
in the European war has shown that
one of the most desired qualifications
is the ability Of the aviator to rise
quickly so as to gain the advantage
in position over an antagonist or to
escape rifle fire. Therefore the de-
partment's specifications require that
to be accepted a machine must be
able to climb 1000 feet in 10 min
.utes with a useful load of 450 pounds.
1t must be of the biplane type,
with an enclosed passenger compart-
ment, two seated, with dual control
and with a maximum speed not less
than 20 and a minimum speed of not
more than 40 miles per hour, when
carrying fuel and oil for a four-houT
flight at 20 per hour. The engine
must be in front of the occupants and
the machine must be able to glide al
an angle not to exceed l on 6. Fin
ally the machines must qualify by
making a no-stop fight of four hours
1t Is probable that the signal corps
will place large orders for the manu-
facture of such machines as may sue.
cessfully pass through the test.
While details of the performance
of aeroplanes in the European armies
have not yet reached the war depart.
ment through it's military attaches, il
Is believed these have been so i'm.
portant as to demand a complete re.
organization of military tactics. 1t Is
now practically IMPOSSIBLE for a com
mander to mask the movement of his
troops or the disposition of his artil
| lery so that henceforth battles prob
ably must be decided, not by strategil
| movements on the field so much as b.
| the original strength of the opposing
| forces. Consequently in the opinion
of the general staff, victory mus
| come TO the side that enters upon wa
most thoroughly prepared in equip
ment and with organized forces.