Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-12-28

the pilot-which In the case OF Curtiss
pilots range from $50 70 $75 per week
cost OF uplieep. depreciation, insurance.
gas and oil consumption.
1t Is interesting, therefore, to mako a
comparison as to what it costs a person
to take a 100-mile trip by air and by auto
mobile and rail, respectively.
The operating cost OF 1OO-mile journey
by air would be $3.50. A concern would
have to charge at least so per cent OF this
sum additional in order to meta profit and
pay overhead expenses OF maintaining
terminals and their complement of en-
ployees. The total charge then would be
s22b for the trip. Dividing this sum be-
tween the seven passengers the fare would
be $50 each.
BY hired automobiles New York com.
pany renting large motor cars estimates
over good highways 1t would cost thirty
five cents per mile. The 1O0-mile trip
would, therefore, stand each Of the six
passengers, in q seven-passenger car with
chauffeur, about Sc.
100-mile journey by railroad costs
three cents per mile. to which adding tho
Government tax and Pullman charge the
total amounts to 81.
The air journey would, therefore, cost
about eight times that of the rail and five
and half times that Of the motor trip.
However, the trip by air can be made in
less than half the time Of the rail and
three times quicker than by motor
1t must be remembered also that the air
ticket costs more than the others because
or the fact that aeroplane construction is
not yet standardized; that motors cost.
ing $4,000 and $4,000 have to be run
until worthless by way of experiment.
tation. and entire planes broken up to de.
termine their various breaking points.
Some time in the near future, when a
great deal more flying knowledge is nc.
CURED and various construction materials
have been definitely proven, then builders
OF aeroplanes will be able to standardize
their machines and bring the price down
to a figure considerably below that OF such
types rs The Eagle, which now stands at
$4,000.
Those passengers who have been aboard
The Eagle on some Of her SO flights
have been enthusiastic over their expert.
ence. Some of these arc Otto Praeger
head OF the aerial mail: General Charles
r. Menoher. director OF the Air Service;
Benedict Crowell. Assistant Secretary of
War; Mrs. Newton D. Baker, wife of the
Secretary OF War; Mrs. George Barnett.
wife OF the commandment OF the United
States Marine Corps; General L. e. O.
Charlton. British Air Attache; Herman
Lundquist Speaker OF the Lower House Of
Sweden; Lieutenant-Commander IN L.
Bellinger. OF the NC-1, and representatives
from practically all the foreign embassies.
III is said that the outstanding impress
sion In riding is the almost total absence
of the feeling that one is speeding through
the air. While the roar from the motors
is slightly disturbing at first this grad
ual!y disappears as one becomes accus-
toned to the noise. 1t is possible to read
and write comfortable. and n game OF
cards may even be INDUCED in to while
away the time The enclosed cabin shuts
cut the rushing wind
When the machine is starting and while
running along the ground the wheels arc
so we'll equipped for the absorbing OF
shocks that ONE does not experience any
discomfort from Earring. II Is Just like
riding III an automobile on smooth road
IN the air there is absolutely no vibra-
ton. The sense OF stability is said to be
very strong and one feels quite secure.
The absence OF side swaying and the noise
from pounding on rails, as experienced in
railroad coaches, make the air journey far
more enjoyable There IS also no danger
Of losing ones equilibrium. as people fire.
quently do when Drain is rounding q
curve. for in the air limousine the plane
banks and thus attends TO the s.:Derleyat.
ing OF the outer rail.