Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-28
SIGNAL CORPS PLANS TO
START AVIATION SCHOOL
Government Aid May BE Extended
to Project Favored by State
Authorities.
AIRNIEN ARE NEEDED By ARMY
Greenhow Johnston, Who Is Helping
to Organize Detachment, Will Tell
Engineers Society of Schcme-Ad-
iutant-General to Make Address.

| Plans for the formation OF an avia-
| ton detachment to be connected with
! the Signal Corps, the newest branch of
! the State militia service have been
/ launched here, and have met with much
! favor The work has been going on
quietly for several months, and the
prospects for government aid for the
enterprise look exceedingly bright.
| Acknowledgement w. w. Sale. ut the
head of the Virginia military establish
ment. is an enthusiastic supporter of
the movement. and Grecnhow Johnston
aeroplane designer, who was asked by
the Signal Corps officers TO take up
the proposition. has worked on it
cnerEetically More than a dozen
skilled mechanics, several with expert
encr In aviation, have agreed to join
In the work. provided the government
, supplies the mechines and equipment
which 1t has already done In two
Statns-Ncw York and California
The proposition is new one in this
section. but the aviation corps have
already shown their value In tho Eu-
ropcan conflict. and the need OF efficient
machines and experienced operators is
recognized by the War Department.
With the smallness of the United States
regular army. I; is necessary for volun-
teer workers to take up this branch.
in order TO provide tho nucleus for an
aviation corps I'm case OF war
AEROPLANE EXPERIENCE.
Mr.. Johnston, who is Richmond
man. has had considerable experience
with aviation, and has designed sew
cral machines that have been success
full flyers. He has worked under a
number OF well-known aviators, and
mas given much attention to the
mechanism of all varieties of planes
Since taking up the organization OF the
volunteer corps. he has had n number
OK interviews with regular army Of
ticers. and has received much en-
couraEement from them. Many promi-
ncnt state and Federal officers have
Endorsed his plan. and have taken M
the matter with the War Department.
which. III turn. has opened communica-
ton with the state military authori-
ties on the question
There viii be meeting tonight Of
the Richmond Society OF Engineers. at
which time General Sale and Mr. John
ston VIII both make talks. General
Sale VIII take as his subject The
Need OF Aviation for the Militia" Mr.
Johnston Will speak on The Principals
OF Aviation. This latter address will
lie illustrated with stcreoptican views
MIR. Johnston last night. speaking OF
the plan now under way. said:
Il propose. with the governments as
sistant. to have an aviation school in
this city for the benefit Of the militia.
All oil the students Will be regularly
enlisted men. and will be taught not
only how to fly machines but how to
build them ! propose actually to
manufacture machines. thereby teach
ing construction. This instruction
would be given two nights "a week
enabling the students TO hold their
regular positions.
SUPPLY GOVERNMENT
WITH TRAINED MEN
The advantages of this school would
30 many. If the government should ever
need avia;ors, il would have a body of
and fly machines at once. as we'll rs 10
CARY out military tactics They would
he Judges OF the proper material for
construction purposes, and know how
TO handle the delicate engines and TO
equip the machines with wireless out
hts Tor communication purposes. These
men would cooperate with the Signal
Corps in making topoEra pical maps and
in giving information in regard to the
movements OF hostile troops
None Of these volunteers, nor my
self. VIII receive any pay from the
state or government except when
called upon for actual duty. All we
ask is that The government bear the
expense OF maintenance. We will do
the rest"
The Richmond Society or Engineers
IT the meeting tonight will elect Of
ficerS for the ensuing year This or
ganiZation Is just about to begin it's
second year The meeting. which will
he held in tho auditorium of the Vir-
Ginia Mechanics Institute. will be open
TO the public.