New-York tribune., 1921-01-02
u. S. Maintains
Leadership in
Aerial Conquest
Decreased Production and
Contraction of Aviation
Industry Offset by Good
Performances in America
Long Flights Successful
Clear Federal Policy to Aid
Progress of Commercial
Flying Is Still Lacking

America has successfully maintained
her leadership in the navigation of the
air, so far as heavier than aircraft
are concerned, despite the lack of
aerial laws. landing fields and other
such handicaps, according to review
of the year 1920, issued by the Manu-
facturers' Aircraft Association yester-
day The review says:
decreased production and a general
contraction in the aeronautical indus
try generally is Offset by the more en-
couraging records of performance
made in American aviation this year.
While the last twelve months have not
brought the carefully outlined policy of
Federal jurisdiction required to assure
steady and economical progress in
commercial aviation, they have wit
messed many remarkable achievements
chimes"
Years Performances
Then follows long, detailed list of
performances, among them the follow
ing:
Commander A. c. Read. hero of the
transatlantic flight in the NC-4, COM
manded the same flying boat on note
worthy expedition from Rockaway,
L. l.. down the Atlantic Coast, along
the Gulf Coast and up the Mississippi
River to Cairo. H. When the NC-4
returned to Rockaway January 27 last
it had flown 7,74O nautical miles. Three
of the four Packard Liberty engines
had operated without trouble during
the 11S hours in the air. the fourth
more than eighty-two hours. Along
the Mississippi the motors were run on
commercial gasoline picked up from
point to point en- route. Read re-
ported that the greatest difficulty en-
countered was lack of proper maps.
Compared 20 long fight attempts
conducted by European governments
the American ventures were particu-
larry successful. No less than four ex-
petitions attempted to fly the 5.2oS
Africa. Colonel P. Van Ryndveld and
Major c. J. @. Brand finally completed
their flight on March 20. 1920, in
DH9 plane sent up by the government
Of the Union of South Africa after
their Vickers-V -Vimy machine had
crashed They had set out from Cairo
February 10. None of the machines
that started reached Capetown.
different success attended the
States Army Air Service. Four Gal
laudet remodelled D. H.-4-B. planes.
each powered with single Liberty
motor, and each carrying two persons,
flew from Mitchell Field. L. l., to
Nome, Alaska, and return in 112 hours
flying time, total distance of 1900
miles, without motor missing ire or
lay the party. Rain ard fog caused
most OF the difficulty in flying over
country not even charted on the maps.
Operation of Air Mail Service
The Air Mail in 1920 operating be-
York, Cleveland, Chicago. Omaha, Salt
Lake City. and San Francisco, trans
ported approximately one hundred mil
lion letters at ordinary postage rates.
The system was extended in 1920 from
Chicago to San Francisco, from Key
West. Fla. to Havana. Cuba, and from
Seattle, Wash, to Victoria, B. c.
About thrtyfive air mail planes are
in the air each day flying a total. in
round trips OF about s 900 miles.
During the year the Navy has been
making an aerial survey of the Panama
Canal zone.
The Geological Survey has CO.
operated with the Marine Corps in
mapping the coastlne of Hayt Ameri-
can seaplanes, Curtiss, Aeromarine
and Boeng types have operated on
passenger routes in China.
Major R. W. Schroeder. flying an
American designed and built Packard
Lepero biplsne. went up from McCook
Field. Dayton, Ohio, on February 26,
and reached the worlds record alti-
tude Of $1,000 feet