The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-12-22
Lieut.. Leslie A. Walker, U. s. W.

lO) IRMINGHAM is proud of many of l00 her splendid young men who have
 achieved fame and fortune in va- rious lines of endeavor, and of none is she more proud than of Lieut.. Les.i. A. Walker, U. S. N, who for the past few months has been in charge of the aviation school at Culver, Ind
 Although Lieutenant Walker is an Ems ley boy, Birmingham lays claim to him also, for he numbers quite as many friends in the latter place as he does in ms home town, and for his splendid rec ora during the late war, and his ability and efficiency which has been fully demon- strated in his work at Culver, no amount or homage paid this clever young man from either place can be too lavish
 Lieutenant Walker received his educa- tion at the University of Alabama, ana later, with three years experience as pllot and instructor in the United States naval reserve flying corps he was amply fitted to occupy the responsible position he now fills at Culver
 Lieutenant Walker graduated from the navy aviation ground school, Massacnu- setts Institute of Technology, and served two years as instructor in the advanced training course, navy air station, Pensa- cola, Fla, where he was made chief in- suuctor and later division commander, then squadron commander. For the past year he has served as pilot, naval train ing station, Great Lakes, III. He has qualified in the following types of navy seaplanes: N-9 RIG, B. F-boat,i S9-A, S9-B, IS-IL, HS-2L, t1-12, H-16 F-5L ana others
 Young, enthusiastic and tremendously interested in his work, Lieutenant Walker talked with me yesterday about aviation and it's great possibilities; its tremendous advance and the splendid facilities which 1t affords commercially.
 The keynote of aviation now is safety, said Lieutenant Walker, mot only In our training. but in every branch Of the work. It has been a noticeable fact that much has been said ana wrr,rer -oou. the men who have lost their lives in avla- ton, and that very little has been said and written about tho many safe flights which have been made.
 For instance, during the two years that l was at Pensacola, out of 6,0OU flights there was only one fatality. That, l regard, as very remarkable example of the safety of aviation.
 Another instance that I may mention in this connection is that during the past year in England, when out of 5000 pas sengers< who have been carried by air plane, covering a distance of more than 500,O00 miles, only one fatality is record ed out of that number
 There is no doubt in my mind that aviation will in a short time be the loco- motion adopted by the world. There Is no right of way to be granted; no main- .tenance as is the case with railroads, and when people are educated up to the fact that it is absolutely safe, there will be no reason why it will not be adopted.
 Another thing, when the business men begin to realize the advantages Of avia- ton and build air terminals, which is the only requirement. necessary for aviation after recognized airways have been es- tablished. the greatest step toward per manent aviation will have been accom- plshed Al course, this will come event ually, economic conditions requiring such measures"
 Asked what qualifications were required to make the best pilots, Lieutenant Walk CT said:
 Nothing is required that the average man doesn't possess. Of course, certain tests must be made physically, as well as mentally, but nine men out of ten can pass these, consequently every man is a possible aviator. We teach in our training school at Culver, first of all, as I said before safety What to do and