Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-01-30
SCHOOL To TRAIN
AV|AT0RS MAY Be
LOCATED IN CITY
Former Army instructors Are
Here Looking Over the Sit
uationi Are FavorabIy In
pressed With Duke City.

Albuquerque is to get school for
training aviatorS for commercial fly
ing, if their plans go through. was
the announcement made yesterday by
Lieutenants Edward ]. Mason, of De-
troit, Mich, and Joseph s. Witt, of
Columbus, Kans., both of whom en-
listed in the government aviation
service Immediately following Amer
iea's declaration of war and were
employed as instructors at various
camps, including Minneola, l.. l.,
Carlstron, Fla, and Kelly Field, San
Antonio, Texas, until the armstice
was signed. Both men have been
discharged, but are held on the re-
serve list and may be called at any
time to fly for the government,
1t was while they were in the avi-
alton service of the army that the
men became impressed with the pos
sibilities of airplanes for commercial
purposes, and Immediately after they
were discharged they set about look
ing for a suitable site for establish
ing school to train aViators for
commercial work. After visiting var
ous parts of the country they came
to Albuquerque and decided that this
would be an ideal location.
Our Location Is Praised
Albuquerque has the best loca-
ton we have found anywhere, they
said in discussing the matter yester-
day According to your weather re-
ports YOU have BIS days of perfect
air each year, which is something to
be considered when choosing loca-
ton for school of this kind. 1t is
true that we flew in all kinds of
weather. including heavy rain storms
and fogs, when we We're in the army,
but trips should not be undertaken
under such conditions by students
at least not until they are pretty
we'll along with their training
The course of training will include
everything necessary to fit student
to become a commercial aviator,
such as astronomy, meterology and a
thorough understanding of lairplane
engines. 1t will not, however, take
in fancy stunts, tail spins looping the
loop and other acrohatic perform
ances engaged in by aviators during
the war The object is to teach STU
dents how to operate airplanes for
carrying mail, express and passen-
gers, not to give exhibitions to thrill
crowds Many hair raising stunts
had to be taught during the war so
as to be able to compete with the
crafty Huns, but these will not be
required in commercial work
Both men are optimistic as to the
future possibilities of airplanes. They
will be generally used before many
years for carrying mail, passengers,
baggage and express. was the predic-
ton made. II would rather ride in
an airplane than in an auto over
rough roads" said one of them. "Of
course there were a good many acct
dents during the war, but one must
take into consideration the condi-
tons under which aviatorS had to
work. They often had to fly in large
numbers and in close formation.
They were compelled to perform
many dangerous stunts. Their work
was carried on under the most trying
conditions. With these dangers elm
mated commercial airplanes will be
Just as safe as travelling by autos or
on railway trains"
Great Speed Is Possible
Then there is the question of
speed to be considered" added Lieu
tenant Mason. For instance, a man
comes to me and says he wants to go
to Santa Fe. The distance is Sc
miles in an air line | could set him
down there in 40 minutes
Site for a flying field, located east
of Camp Funston, is being negotiated
for. Plans are also under way to get
three planes from the government.
These are known as the Curtiss jim 4
type. equipped with 100 horsepower
motors. Later on it is the intention
- L., tg,s, o,,,gr 4,