Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-06-17

benefit to assist in this great move
ment to establish landing fields
throughout this country so com
mercial aviation will be assured
and long distance flying be made as
safe as riding in a motor car on the
state highway
THE fundauentaI reason has
been shown above why this is de-
sired and as an example of what
little encouragement and assistance
will do, look back to the early days
of the railroad. Did they survey,
buy their land and terminals and
conduct their roads without assist
ance from the public? No. The gov
eminent had TO grant land to them
and give other assistance that
would encourage them to carry on.
Look what we have today. The
greatest railroad system of any
country in the world. We are pre-
pared to furnish all kinds Of rail-
road material for use of the allies
during the war. Why? Because the
industry had been established and
expanded. The same should b. done
for the airplane industry.
Aside from this fundamental
reason for establishing these fields,
what else will the individual city be
doing for itself? 1t will be attract
ing airplanes to the city and in
Yiting commercial aeronautics in
every way. Was there any benefit
derived in having railroads pass
through city? Is there any advan-
tage in having a railroad pass
through a community? The answer
is obvious. The same applies to the
airplane of the future. The pro-
gresSive cities which establish
fields are going to determine aerial
routes throughout this country
Those which offer the best facilities
will get the best results Take the
motor car. Does it go where there
are poor roads and where there is
a lack of service stations, etc? Ger
tainly not.
Requirements For Field.
THE air service has defined what
the standard landing field should
be. In the selection of these landing
fields at the different cities through
out the country, special attention
should first be given to the follow
ing points:
That it is situated close to
transportation facilities and water
supply but not necessarily within
the city limits.
THAT it is unlikely to be shut in
by future building operations.
THAT it is capable of expansion.
THE specifications of the field
will cover the following points:
Size, shape, character of ground,
approaches and accommodations.
THE minimum size of any
landing field will be such
as to allow a 600 yard runway in
every direction with no obstacles.
The best shape for a field would |
be a square or a rectangle but this /
is not absolutely essential. An 81" /
shaped field will suffice, provided /
each arm of the Il is at least 800 J
yards wide and 600 yards long. The |
area of landing grounds on this !
basis will average 60 acres /
The ground should be firm I'M
der all weather conditions. A light. !
is recommended as the most suit .
able, covered with close cropped /
grass. Fields with clay soil IN
NdIldDly uVLldHu SpeCldI drainage :
and are unsatisfactory as a rule in I
wet weather. A concrete cross, $50 (
#. by so it. on each side provides
an excellent wet weather take OFF .
and landing spot. Tan bark or firm .
soil would suffice. The surface
should be level and smooth so that .
ships could normally land upon and .
taxi across without injury.
All landing fields should be |
free from surrounding obstacles, /
such as high buildings, high tension
power lines, trees, etc. The country /
surrounding the land
ing field should afford facilities for /
forced landing in event of engine +.
failure while taking Off
The accommodations at these (
fields should provide communica-
ton by telephone, transportation /
facilities, gasoline, oil and sundry