The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-12-13

twenty aeroplanes, seventy-three
aeronautic motors, one free balloon,
one floating dirigible shed, one hydro
gen plant for idirigibles, one set aero
plane hangers, and one aeroplane
wrecking derrick. This represents an
obligation of funds amounting to
$771 300. 1t Is closely estimated that
funds amounting to $3.50, 900 will be
required for repairs and actual oper-
ating expenses of the air craft on
hand to be delivered during this fis-
cal year. Thus there is a balance of
$98, 200 available for contingencies
and for the purchase Of air craft and
machinery. There are now In the ser
vice fifteen aeroplanes and fifteen
aeronautic motors. BY the first of
the next year at least fifteen new
aeroplanes and number Of new
motors will be delivered and eight
more aviators should be qualified.
The great demand abroad for aero
planes for army use In the European
war has had its effect in making it
difficult to get American manufac-
turers to devote as much attention to
developing the needed types of navy
aeroplanes or hydroaeroplanes as
otherwise might have been done. It
is interesting to note the fact that
altogether 2SS aeroplanes, valued at
II 1884, 1855, and aeroplane parts valued
at $657 ,177 had been exported from,
this country since the beginning of
the European war up to July 81, 1915.
The naval aeroplanes exported were
OF two sizes of the fiying-boat type,
one being the same as now in use in
the navy and the other an improved
type of the aeroplane known as the
America, that was constructed for a
transatlantic flight just before this
war began. Manufacturers have beer
continually urged to produce hydro
aeroplanes which would be suitable
for naval use and very recently orders
with several different companies have
been placed for this type of aeroplane.
These orders have been placed In &C.
cordance with designs submitted be-
cause actual machines had not been
produced except in one case. The
hydroaeroplanes ordered are improve
ments over old types now in use, but
are not believed to be ideal for naval
use. 1t is not in the purview of the
navy to utilize air craft except In
connection with the fleet or for
strictly naval purposes. It is because
the navy intends to restrict its air
craft to oversee service or as eyes
for the feet that it has not asked for
as large an appropriation az would
have been required If it had In view,
as some enormously suppose, the use
of these new scouts of the air on land
as well as On water. Land utilization
Is not a function of the navy. The
navy is an institution ahoat and must
leave land flying to other departments
and agencies.
The design Of school aeroplane
for training officers and men at the
aeronautic station in Pensacola IL be-
ing prepared, This will embody all
the best ideas of the ayiators gained
in actual experience in flying. Manu-
! facturers will be invited to bid for
construction of these aeroplanes in
the very near future. There Is q
school aeroplane now IN use that 10 q
reliable, well tried, and inexpensive
machine.
/ Navy Should Utilize Civilian Flyers
Under present plans for the de-
velopment of the navy's flying corps
the turning out of officers who can fl,
is too slow. There are scores of young
men throughout the country who have
developed special aptitude for hy
ing. These young flyers are fittet
with something like a sixth sense
and 1t seems to me that it would b,
wise to admit them to the navy. re
stricted, of course, to the art Of fight
Keen observers Of the European wa
have reported that the most success
full flyers in the belligerent armie
| are young men between seventeen an,
twenty years Of age. There are /,
this country many such young me,
born with the gift Of manipulating
flying machine, and, in order to Mt;
lie their services, recommend I'll,
J congress provide for their admissio
|, to the aviation corps of the navy .
commissioned officers of q tun;o
grade.