The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1919-03-14


follow the shortest distance between two points
through the air with mail and fast express matter
than train can run without stations and switches
at each end Of the route.
At these air route stations must be landing
fields, hangers for the machines, gasoline supp.
spare parts. charts. MAPS weather forecast sig
nails, engine mechanics, receivers for the quick
transfer and delivery of mail, express matter
whatever 1t is. What types Of landing fields? And
where shall they be ocated-outside city limits
in city parks cleared of buildings and for the
purpose?
Another point: Special charts will have to be
prepared for the pilot to follow. For instance.
crossing the Atlantic. going east, the arplane
would. am told by engineers have to follow east
little by south. Similar charts would have to be
drawn to guide the pilot during prevailing trade
or seasonal Winds The Chinook winds Of the
Rockies, for instance. would add from 20 to 80
miles an hour to pilots speed coming east and
impede his flight to the same extent going west.
The deserts, the Mojave Arizona, Mexico, Utah,
have their dust storms from March to June Which
way do they blow? Montague, think it is. says
the brown fogs of the Atlantic can be surmounted
at from 10000 to 900 feet but while the airplane
will take the flyer above the dust, will 1t take him
above the hurricane that creates the dust?
The meteorological bureau Of Washington and
the chamber OF commerce Of San Diego have done
most up to the present time in charting air cur
rents for aerial flights. 1t is entirely new
world. and it is puzzling one; for remember. the
airplane may drift from Its course, just as ships
drift In ocean currents without the compass giving
an inkng of 1t. and here again the army and navy
could, an they would. tale unfold.
But 1t is in the region Of the mountains that the
lighthouses with powerful lenses are most needed
for aerial routes This air region Is an entirely
unknown world and 1t is dangerous as reefs off
Labrador for a landing place. Cases are on rec
ord in which fighters in the war interlocked wings
and came down and stuck in treetop without
so much as q scratch the skin of either pilot
But quite as dangerous as treetops and rocks
coming up to meet you through the floor of your
car are the gusty air pockets above all mountains
1t Is not known yet whether the air above noun
tains is as gusty at night when the sun Is not
creating upcurrents; but If by day the sun creates
Niagaras of air. and If by night you may run into
a blizzard Of snow say. above Pixies Peak, there
Is lot to do in chartlng air roads above the Rock.
les before we get that section Of transconti-
mental air route safe flight above the ocean.
STILL as late as 1880. the fur traders of the noun
tains secuted the possibility Of even wagons ever
crossing the Great Divide Today, trains motors
and wagons cross all sections Of the Divide with
less thought and danger than pedestrians cross
Fifth avenue. New York and by $780, 1t is a safe
wager with your that arplanes will do the
But this is not all there is to chartins the air.
not by long. long shot How about direction sig.
mails?
Rules Of the Road Needed.
Each machine must always be given its own
space, or twice its own space to pass or meet
another machine, but how about direction SIGNALS?
Do you pass to the right left2 What are the
penalties and who pays them, II you don't take
the correct side and collision results? Who has
the right Of way, the coming.in machine or the
going out7 What rate of speed is to be allowed
for certain levels and who Is to police the air and
regulate the traffic?
Did you ever think what gorgeous streak Of
adventure an air robber. Captain Kidd Of the sky
route. could have II he made of with a plane good
for eleven tons cargo and 1877 miles speed7 You
might catch him on a peak Of the Rockies or he
might have cached his loot in the moon. You mas
smile, but are any Of these possibilities more nm
likely than were the actual achievements Of the
airplane in the war7
The apprehension Of the airplane in industry be-
ing CLANCY because Its engine may 60 dead or its
controls 60 out Of whack does not alarm the air
man. Dual engines, dual controls and two pilots
will minimize that risk; but there 10 a very den.
mite apprehension in the airman's mind He knows
the airplane is going to leap into industry a. spec
tacularly as the motorcar all right
He wants the air charted and the rules of the
game established before the argosies of counties,
winged fleets are In the air. He wants all ele-
ments Of danger and confusion and antagonism re-
moved before the argoses Of mail and express and
Avin2 freight 20 up In ~ -