The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1919-10-02
FLYING FOR RESERVE
AIR SERVICE OFFICERS


the Air Service to furnish opportuni-
ties for all reserve officers OF the Air
Service to fly so that they will be
available at all times for duty with
Air Service troops. Reserve officers
should realize only too well the ne
cessity for practice if they are to
keep in first class condition.
With this end in view a plan is
now being formulated to bring these
opportunities to fly as close to the
reserve officer as possible. In each
locality where there are enough flyers
to warrant it, it is hoped to obtain
a field and place an Air Service de-
tachment so that the flyers concerned
may continue their practice while
living at home. Many cities now have
landing fields and flying facilities
near them and it is believed that
many more would join this list and
help out in this movement If the
matter were presented to them in the
Proper way. Every city in the United
States must soon have it's municipal
landing field If it is to keep up with
the progress in aerial activity that
Is flooding over us and is increasing
in intensity every day.
AT the present time there are no
funds, nor are there the men or ma
chimes to carry out this plan, and
even under the proposed size Of the
Air Service in the Army Bill now be-
fore Congress little can be done. 1t
is believed, however, that it will be
possible in time to get the necessary
men and money from Congress to
carry the full details of this plan in
to effect. 1t must therefore be real
lied that this project is only in the
formative state and nothing at the
present time can be promised, but if
everybody concerned will get behind
and boost, we may surely expect re-
suits in accordance with the efforts
put forth.
Although the Army Bill before Con-
gress contemplates a very small Air
Service, there are other bills being
entertained that provide for a very
large establishment organized into a
separate department of the govern
ment. Principal among these is the
new bill introduced by Senator New
OF Indiana and which is receiving
considerable backing from manv
members of Congress. This bill will
undoubtedly provide the means for
carrying out the above plan to sun
ply opportunities to reserve officers
to keep up their flying. 1t also pro-
Vldes for the sort of an Air Service
this country needs.
The Air Service has already pro-
vided for the flying of reserve Of
hcers If they will go to one of our
active flying fields for the purpose
out this is not always convenient and
involves personal expense and a loss
Oh time for those who may live in
places distant from these flying fields.
hence the interest Of reserve officers
IN this matter should cause them 70
lend their assistance to boost the nlan
outlined.
The Department Air Service officer
Of the Southeastern Department is
collecting information to assemble
into report on this matter to the d.
rector of the Air Service. The South-
eastern Department embraces the
states Of North Carolina, socth Caro-
Ina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mis-
''ssippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, and
Louisiana. Reserve officers Of the Air
Service living in these states should
communicate with the Department
Air Service officer Charleston, s. G..
relative to further information on this
subject. 1t is desired, however that
ogery reserve officer send his name
and adtFess to the Department Air
service office. thus showing his desire
20 continue his flying. The name Of
Inc city or town in or near which the
reserve officer is located is desired
together with statement as to whst
facilities there are in their immedr-
ate vicinity for flying; such as ma
chimes, hangers, landing fields, etc.,
and what might be donated by the
municipalities. A rough sketch or
map showing location and size of anv
regular or emergency landing fields
would be appreciated. Suggestions