San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-02
SECURITY IN
AIR GAINED BY.
BALLOON RACES
Weather Bureau and Other
Agencies Find Them
Helpful.
HELPS SAVE LIVES
Experiments Just as Essen
tial as Automobile
Races.
HELPS SAVE LIVES

Concerning the reason why balloon
races are held, Maj. Edgar Tobin, Sec
rotary of the San Antonio Chapter Of
the Aeronautical Association said
Saturday regarding the national races
scheduled for this city in April. that
competitive. combatant contests in the
air are fully as essential as progressive
competition in any other line of mod
ern travel, and gave several reasons
why balloon racing offers practical
and educational value. The discussion
was brought about because of recent
inquiries regarding the necessity of
balloon races, following the loss of life
that has occurred in contests through
out the history of balloon contests.
Balloon races are held for the same
reason that automobile races. yachting
races, football games and other red
blooded American contests are held
Mr.. Tobin said. There is an element
of danger in all of these things. but
every contest contributes that much
more toward improvement in the ma
terial and equipment used, besides en-
couraging the sportive, >combative
spirit characteristic of progressive peo-
pie
Automobile manufacturers are said
to credit so per cent of improvement
in reliability and endurance in auto
mobiles TO the knowledge gained in
racing, Mr.. Tobin stated, and the same
condition exists in aerial progress.
Balloon racing, according 10 Mr.. To-
bin, contributes data of the utmost
Importance in the development of
acronautics as a practical means of
transportation.
Endorsed by Weather Bureau.
knowledge of the upper air is nee
eNary in determining accurate
weather forecasts" Mr.. Tobin said,
"and the balloon alone affords an op-
portunity 10 study httle-known upper
air strata and currents. Officials of
the weather bureau admit this state
ment to be true, and they have ex-
pressed the desire to study weather
conditions by using balloon flights in
experiments necessary TO the prepara-
ton of weather charts"
Balloon training is necessary, or at
least very valuable, in teaching air.
plane pilots to successfully manage
their ships under any condition. Mr..
Tobin. said. When an airship is in
danger of crashing to the ground, the
pilot with balloon training can nearly
always manage a safe landing. because
previous ballon experience teaches him
confidence and gives him the ability to
handle a helpless ship.
Balloons Use i'm Infancy.
Every method of transportation
known to man has passed through its
transition stages, and the balloons
part in travel is going through that
period now" Mr.. Tobin said. There
was editorial doubt and general pes
simism following the announcement
of the telephone, photograph, the
phonograph, the automobile, the sub
marine and the radio. Aerial transpOr-
tation is just as possible as any of
these"
Dangerous weather conditions have
often caused loss Of life in balloon
races, according TO Mr.. Tobin, but
weather in San Antonio is conceded
10 be ideal for free balloon racing.
and pilots anticipate no trouble from
the weather in the National Races
that will be held in this city as part
of the Fiesta de San Jacinto program.
In fact, several pilots have expressed
the opinion that a race conducted from
city having San Antonio's weather
Will beat all records, and they are
counting on establishing new ones in
the national races in April.