The Washington herald., 1916-11-06
ARMY AND NAVY NEWS

In pursuance of the plan to encourage
the study Of aeronautics by civilians to
Mt them for the Reserve Corps, the Army
Ad1utant Generals office has published
instructions for the organization Of train
Ing schools. 1t also describes the tests
civilians must pass to become eligible for
aviation service.
The machines used at civilian schools
must comply with specifications prescrib-
ed for regular army schools. They are
divided into preliminary and advanced
types.
The course consists Of two stages. The
first stage includes instruction and quali-
hcation to include the preliminary flying
test. This test will be held under super
vision OF an officer or agent OF the Avia-
ton Section Of the Signal Corps.
The second stage, which is optional
with the school authorities. will consist
OF advanced training necessary to qualify
an aviation student as a reserve military
aviator. An advanced type of machine
VIII be used at least during the last
stages Of this instruction. The reserve
military test also will be held under gu
pervision of an officer Of the Signal Corps.
The preliminary flying test consists Of:
First-Three sets OF figure eights around
pylons l,6O0 feet apart. In making turns
around pylons all parts of machine will
be kept within a circle whose radius Is
800 feet.
second-stop motor at a minimum
height Of 800 feet and land. causing ma
chine to come to rest within l5o feet of
previously designated point.
Third-An altitude test consisting Of
rising to minimum height Of ZOO feet
Fourth-Glides with motor throttIed,
changing direction ninety degrees to right
and left.
The War Department has taken under
adVisement offers Of rubber companies TO
ment Of the balloon division of the Army
Aviation Corps
Two of the balloons will be Of the ordi-
nary free fight type, and the other two
Kite or captive balloons for observation
purposes.
The department also is considering
Specifications for several smaller types
OF rigid and nonrigid dirigibles, but no
steps have been taken toward the con-
structon Of huge craft similar to the
German Zeppelins.
President Wilson soon Is expected to
sign the commissions of officers of the
Army Dental Corps. sixteen in number,
who qualified in recent examinations
Under ruling of the War Department,
the strength of the Dental Corps will
sand enlisted men in the line of the army.
which would give los on June 8 and l21 on
July l. when the first increment of army
Increase. Is in number, occurred The
subsequent four increments on July /
Of 1917. 1918. 1919. and 1920 are, respectively,
l3, Il. 13 and 13.
The George Leary Construction Com
pany, Of New York, has been awarded
the contract for the construction OF a
1.0o0-foot drydock at the Norfolk Navy
Yard. The bid was S2,A2,5s4 The limit
Of cost fixed by Congress was s., $4,000.
By the construction Of an inner gate II
will be possible to divide the dock into
two smaller basins when the full length
Is not needed.
The superintendent OF the Military
Academy at West Point should be given
the title of brigadier general, regardless
OF his grade at the time of appointment,
according to a recommendation in the an
nual report OF Col c. P. Townsley, Coast
Artillery Corps. head Of the institution.
He points out that the dignity of the DO
sition makes this proposed rank desira-
BILE.