New Britain herald., 1924-03-14
]. 5. AIRMEN.READY
 ID ENCIRCLE EARTH
Hop OH on Long Flight on
 March 17

New York, March 1.-The hop off on the first leg of a round -theworld | flight by a squadron of the United State air service is scheduled for March 17 al Santa Monica, Cal. The first part of the flight will be north ward along the Pacific coast by way of Fresno, Stockton and Sacramento, Cal. thence to Portland. Ore, and Seattle Wash. At the last named city the planes will be fitted with pontoons for water landings which will be made in sheltered harbors along the coast Of British Columbia. Alaska. through the Alcutian Islands and along the Japan coast. |
 The four principal objects of the 9Sht are: To gain for the air service added experience in long distance fly ing and particularly in the supply problems connected with such flights: to complete an airplanc flight around the world in the shortest practicable time; to demonstrate the feasibility of establishing & commercial airWay around the world; to obtain for the United States the first place of practi-F cal aviation, the honor of being the first nation to encirclc the globe en- tirely by air.
 The most careful preparations have been made for the flight by the army air service. which has had valuable assistance from, the Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce of America. Through the latter organization sev eral score of American business cor porations with representatives abroad have been enlisted to aid the flyers at various points.
 The squadron will be made up of four biplancs. known as Douglas world cruisers.
 The flight will be in command of Major Frederick l.. Martin. He will be accompanied by Licutenants Low ell IT, Smith. Erik H. Nelson and Leigh Wade. All four are experienced pilots, each with a record of more than l,5o0 hours flying time. Licuten- ants Leslie r. Arnold and LeClairc D. Schulze have been designated as part of the flight personnel to act as al ternates. They also have fine records for actual dying time that compare with those of the other four. The per sonncil also will include four enlisted men.
 Tho squad dfon expects 10 leave Seat tic about April I, after which stops for fuel food and supplies will be made at the following places:
 Prince Rupert, E. C.. Sitka, Cor dora, seward and Chignik, Alaska, Akutan or Dutch Harbor, Inalaska; Nazan, Island of Attn: Chice golf, Island of Attu: paramushiru Island lkuriles) Bcttobu Oknrilrs) Ak keshir. Aomori. Tokio and NagasaRi Japan: Chcmulpo Dinson); Tsingtao, Shanghai, Among and HongkonG. China; Iiaipong, Tonrahe and Saigon. French Indo China; Bangkok, Siam, Rnngoon and Akyab. Burman. Cal cutta. Allahabad. Delhi, Mutan and karachi. India: chahbar l,andar l,pshire. Persia; Bagdad; .Aeppo, Syria; lSonia and San Stcfano, Tar- key, Belgrade. Vienna, Strassboug. Paris, London, Hull, kirkwall in ork- ney Islands: Thorshavn in Farce Islands: ReykjaNik, Iceland, Angmag- salik and AyigtDt. Greenland, Rigolctt, Hamilton Inlet, Labrador; Ming0n, cue, Quebec. Montreal.
 Leaving Montreal the flyers will prc Fcd to New York, thence to nl. hington and probably to Dayton, ana ago and by easy stagcs westward tt, os Angeles. the starting point.
 A theoretical schedule has been worked out and while it is not eN- pected that this will b. strictly ad. hercd to because Of unforeseen local contingencies, it is hoped to complete the Night by the latter part of August los latest.