The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-02-14
ESTABLISHMENT
OF AIRPLANE HAVE
4 INDEX Of future

A few short years age Il vas adVer-
tised that an airplane would ny in
Doubling Thomases" were in the ma
ioritY. The airplane would not come,
and II 1t did II would not fly.
From a short distance away the plane
was freight into Memphis. No one.
least of all the pilot, considered the
possibility Of its flying in. 1t was
carefully assembled. Ideal weather was
an2iously waited for. There was much
testing Of wind, careful scanning OF the
Finally the ideal day arrived. Not
cloud flscked the sky, There was much
consultation. The planes engine was
carefully examined, carefully tested. The
PILOT climbed in, A shout! He was
in the air.
Higher and higher he climbed, At
crowd could see he was gradually deS-
oending, The wheels touched the
ground. The plane rolled a few feet
"a successful flight had been accom-
plished. A sigh Of relief was heaved.
"A few days ago Memphis was mantled
by q low, heavy cloud A. persistent
steady drizzle made life miserable for
those whose occupation called them out
of doors. 1t was bad weather for man
and beast.
Above the heavy cloud bank a drum
ming noise was heard. Men repairing
planes at Memphis commercial flying
field casually glanced up. Another
ship coming in" That was all.
Drops From Sky.
Soon dark shape fell out Of the
clouds. The pilot seeing he was inr
mediately over his field, In his delight
cut few capers. The steady drizzle
continued. The plane landed grace
Where you from?"
Chicago"
Where you Eoing?"
New Orleans. Say what do you felT-
lows charge for gas and oil, Fill me
up ] gotta leave soon.
Commercial aviation has arrived. Fly
ing Is now independent of weather or
wind, snow or ice. The ocean has been
crossed. A flight from England to
Australia has been accomplished. Many
mail planes fly every day between the
larger towns in winter and summer.
Memphis is an ideal aviation center.
Regardless Of other facilities it's eee-
graphical position makes i Logical
flying center. In the fall airplanes
winging their way to the balmy elimes
of Southern Louisiana and. Florida step
at Memphis. Spring witnesses the
Southern visitors flying back to their
Northern homes. Again Memphis is the
intermediate stop.
Memphis, the Queen City of the tri-
SldtSS, 10 a itSSCd tOl pldi4LSA9, PAStNS-
sional men and merchants from the
surrounding country. 1t Is becoming
more and more customary to see visit
ors arriving via the air, and to see
them climbing in their planes for a
short Journey of pleasant minutes to
wait and tedious hours on the train
was the inevitable penalty visitors from
the more inaccessible towns had to pay
Train Flyers Here.
A government training field is To-
Gated 20 miles from Memphis. While
at present It is inactive, i is thought
and army pilots will be trained for war
purposes.
in very advanced stage of develop
ment. Prominent aeronautical authofi-
ties have declared that Memphis has
any other city in the country. Visiting
airlnen are loud in their praise Of Mem
phis as an air point. They have every
facility at their disposal for airplane
use that. the most complete automobile
repair shop has for the automobile
owner,
TIE local commercial company has
an ideal flying field. 1t Is enclosed by
a. eRemiIe race track with no obstruc :
tons on any side and has z straight
runway VI dDOul o'OuO iGVbs ; ilS ltlt eVSs
airplahe can easily land and take off
from this field. 1t Is well, drained and
permits flying in any kind Of weather.
On the field proper Is gasoline fill
ing station. This Is thought to be the
only airplane filling station in the
South. The plane will taxi up and
fill its gas tank from a pump and res
ervoir exactly as an automobile is driv-
en- to the curb and filled.
a steel and woed hangar, capable
of housing seven airplanes Is main
tanned Immediately to one side of the
field.
Many Visitors.
Every week visiting airplanes arrive
and depart from Memphis. Some stay
q few minutes, gas up, and fly away
pletely oyerhauled and their entire
4 planes gone over and make stay of
week or SO in Memphis
Every facility is<maintained for ex-
pert repair work. Expert ringers and
mechanics work on their planes. An
aero repair shop is maintained which
Is capable Of turning out any kind OF
Ia,~ rfn nf no re