Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-02-03

charge Of that division will step iii
and continue the flight.
A compass known as the Pioneer Is
to be used. This instrument Is no
affected by the magnetic qualities OF
any properties of the ship. It is 10
Gated away from the engine and other
instruments, and when it is set, a dial
on the dash board registers 90" A
magnetic needle points directly under
it, and should the plane swerve off its
course the needle will move. In 9TH
er words. as long as the needle points
to zero the pilot knows he is on his
course.
With the type Of compasses used IL
regular Army service planes in this
country it would require much work
to compute deviation due to the in
f1uence on it from other than the
magnetic pole.
The two alternates, Lieut.. Leslie T.
Arnold, photo officer Of Boiling Field.
and Lieut.. Lee. d. Schulze, anticipate
much mental agony when the trip be
gins. They are studying with the prin-
cipals and going through all move
nlents and operations, just as though
they were to make the flight. Effort t.
go along as mechanics has failed.
They're too disgustingly healthy"
was Lieut.. Arnold's comment on his
chances of starting the journey.
Maj. Martin said he has received
many letters requesting permission to
accompany him on the fight. Among
these was one from a soldier az
Chanute Field. H., who said he had a
very beautiful sweetheart in Switzer-
land whom he wants to see. Another
stated that perhaps you'd like a COL
ored man to go along for good luck
The ships to be used are all-American
craft and are similar to the type used
by the Navy for torpedo carrying, the
Douglas transport, now known as the
world cruiser This type has a fun
load as seaplane of 5000 pounds and
as land plane Of $500 pounds. II will
carry a crew Of two. $50 gallons of
gasoline with a weight of $500 pounds.
and 80 gallons of oil Weighing 2I6
pounds. One main tank is located di-
rectly behind the ending and otI1e,
tanks have been built in under the
pilots and observers seats and in Ger.
tain sections of the wings. The main
span, both upper and lower, is so feet
and the length over all is "a feet.
y x
"N1TH this demonstration o, Anne
lean aviation ability" declared
MAJ. Martin, the country. when we,
return, should be wide awake 70 the
advantages Of flying. The purposes OF
the flight are to gain for the air serv-
Ice added experience in long distance
flying and particularly in the supply
problem connected Herewith: to com
piete an airplane flight around the
world in the shortest practicable time:
to demonstrate the feasibility of estab-
fishing an airway round the globe, and
incidentally, to secure for the United
States, the birthplace of aeronautics.
the honor Of being the first country 10
encircle the world entirely by air.
Obviating a days Journey to Langley
Field either by boat or other means OF
transportation. the writer climbed in
the back seat of De Haviland plane with
Lieut.. L. V. Beau. jr., of Boiling FIELD
at the stick" The flight down was
made in one hour and twenty-six min
utes against a southwest wind. A di-
rect air line of $50 miles to the Hamp-
, ton, Va, base was taken. the Potomac
being lost on the right and then crossed
almost at it's mouth.
The return journey required a few
minutes more, because Lieut.. Beau de-
Waited from his regular course. and alti-
tude Of about 1000 feet to fly close TO
the water and pay calls of courtesy to
fishermen in boats, tugs and other river
craft. This was done on the Wicomico
river, and after there were no more oh
jects to dive at. he cut across the coun-
try and came out on the Potomac at
Marshall Hall. Flying close to the wa
ter and at 10 miles an hour. the peace
and serenity Of the ice-clogged river on
that day were broken up by the roaring
plane. which completed the journey To
Washington from Mount Vernon in
what seemed about one minute and
half :,