Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-03-26
awake TOAvlATION
OUR POSSIBILITIES
MAKE USE OF THEM

Maine citizens interested In aVlatlOD
seem to have awakened the public
| consciousness to the possibilities OF
making the State muster field an
areonautical center. This means that
the State field would not only be
port for the trans Atlantic dirigibles
but would also be link in the air
mail service and also be an excellent
landing ground for commercial and
pleasure planes which are steadily
growing in number.
The more closely the project is
studied the more feasible it becomes
in the minds Of those who are most
interested and the more the subject is
discussed generally the more likely it
becomes that some immediate and
definite action will be taken to crys-
talize the plans Of those fostering
the development of the site.
AS has been previously pointed out
the first step towards making the
State Muster field the aeronautical
center OF Maine and possibly OF all
New England Is to put the field in
condition for light airplanes to make
possible safe landings under all wind
and weather conditions. 1t is esti-
mated that the small sum of $4,000
will make the State Muster field one
of the finest aviation fields in the
United States east of the MissisS-
ippi. 1t has every natural advantage.
1t is on high ground well drained, ac-
cessiblc to rail and water transporta-
ton. can be supplied with any
amount energy and is close to the
heart Of the city. Another natural
advantage in favor Of the State Mus
ter field is the large surrounding
area which is free from buildings and
which can be used for emergency
landings. Experience has taught that
engine trouble usually develops when
an airplane is just getting under way.
For that reason a convenient landing
site in close contiguity to the avia-
ton field proper is highly important.
The $1,000, If appropriated by the
State, would be used to remove the
series Of small headquarters build
ings on the southwest side OF the
field, the wires at the west side of
the field and for leveling and grad
ing the entire surface. If there is
not enough gravel in the few hillocks
which need to be leveled there are
vast quantities in the deposits OF the
nearby terminal moraines. Hon. w.
H. Gannett, who is greatly interest
ed in the project, says that there are
big deposits Of gravel on his estate
which he would gladly contribute to
the State for the purpose Of properly
grading in the aviation field. This
gravel can also be used to good ad-
vantage in the necessary cement
work.
Once the field is cleared Of OBJ
structions experienced aviators claim
that they will have 600 to 700 yards
runway for a take off which on &C
count of the altitude Of the field will
be more than the necessary distance
to get a good flight altitude.
The field once opened for aviation
purposes opens up vast possibilities
for commercial, mail and military
purposes. 1t is not remote thought
even to consider that the field may
at no distant date be the base for an
air patrol for Names forest. In Ore
gon and in California the air patrol
has been the means of saving vast
areas of forest lands from fire and in
those states is considered the cheap
| est known firm of forest fire insur-
ance.
The development of the field as 4
center for airplanes also develops the
far greater possibility Of having the
field as a port of call for the fleet OF
trans Atlantic. What harbors are to
| ships Of the sea what aviation fields
are to ships OF the air. The aviation
| field develops the immediate possi
bility of erecting a mooring mast for
! the big dirigibles. The mooring mast
| is an invention OF far-reaching i'm
portance. BY means of this mast it is
now possible for a ship to be fueled
and gassed as we'll as to receive her
passengers and freight without be-
ing put into shed. The conditions
precedent to fight are therefore
radically changed as not only are the
risks inherent in the herthing Of a
ship eliminated but the number Of
men required for the operation is
greatly reduced. Before the inven-
| ton of the mooring mast it was
| necessary that the ship should be
Nberthed in calm weather. Naturally
iir was impossible for time table to
be adhered to and Furthermore not
only did this objection initiate
against a commercial development
but the number of men required was
about three hundred---a type Of over
head charge quite impossible from a
| commercial point of view. BY means
Of the mast. however, it is possible to
iHooi " NosoCi Win o'iiS Ola IhSii al"
the condition of the weather scarcely
enters into the question as the
operation can be carried out in a 40
mile an hour gale.
| If Maine will lead off by the slight
appropriation of $1,000 she will lay
! the foundation of great future pos
sibilities az an aviation center. When
the Federal government finds that a
State has gone ahead and taken the
initial steps in far-sighted plan of
| this nature future support is bound
| to be gained in congressional action.
"The S1st Maine Legislature will
have within it's hands the opportun-
ity OF placing Maine in the forefront
of it's states and proving true once
more it's motto: 4 head" to quote
one citizen who has been making a
CT LII: Of 4Iaa si4aaa 4ies,