Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-20
URGES INCREASED
/. NAVY AIR SUPPORT
Moffett, in Report, Stresses
Shortage of Personnel and
Appropriations.
By the Associated Press.

by the Associated Press.
While naval aviation has developed
to the point that it lis now an int
grail part of the fleet" the shortage of
personnel has been a handicap, and
adequate expansion cannot be made
without increased appropriations. Rear
Admiral w. a. Moffett. chief of the
Navy Bureau of Aeronautics, said In
his annual report.
Until there is a sufficient personnel
Tho naval aeronautic organization
cannot assume its proper place as a
balanced arm of the fleet he said,
and unless there is an increase in APP
preparations there can be no ma
terial increa Sc in numbers Of aircraft.
The report dealt with the fiscal year
ending last June 80 and did not dis
cuSS the air controversy which has
since arisen.
Summarizing his recommendations
Admiral Moffett said:
Naval aviation has continued its
efforts to give the fleet sufficient
planes of the types to meet naval re-
uuirements. and this has been success
Jul to the point where naval aviation
is now an integral part Of the fleet,
accompanying it wherever 1t goes.
Involves New Problems.
The use Of aircraft aboard ships
imposes upon the designers OF naval
aircraft problems not met in the de-
sign of other aircraft. The limitations
OF weight and size are the two out
standing problems to be dealt with.
These limitations have been met as
far as the engines are concerned by
the development OF air-cooled engines,
which has progressed satisfactorily.
20 1evplnnr1pnf metal construction
rf aircraft is progressing satisfacto-
llly, but has not yet reached point
where 1t is entirely practicable for
production orders.
The design and operation of cata-
quilts during the past year has been
highly satisfactory.
1T is believed that our Navy is the
only one which uses catapults to any
practical extent. Our development
has progressed to a point where planes
are now Catapulted upon signal from
the flagship.
Increase in Flying Hours.
The number of flying hours is in
CreaSing yearly, and the bureau is
DESTROYS of encouraging as far as prac-
1icable a greater increase, because 1t
is believed that the more hours our
aviatorS have in the air the more
proficient they will be.
The shortage of both commissioned
and enlisted personnel has been
handicap during the past year. While
it is realized that this has been
brought about by the general shortage
throughout the service. it is desired
70 point out that the naval aeronautic
organization can not assume us
proper place as "a balanced arm of the
fleet until it has sufficient personnel.
THE annual report of the Bureau
4 tNA ,nT1 a
without an expression of appreciation
OF the assistance rendered this bureau
by the United States Army Air Service
the national advisory committee tor
aeronauticS, the Bureau of Standards,
and the Forest Products Laboratory.
The heartiest cooperation has existed
between this bureau and the agencies
named and their assistance has been
OF great value and a source OF econ
omy to the Government.
Civil Aviation Laws.
In past annual reports this bureau
has recommended that the department
do everything possible to place upon
the statutes of the Government ade-
ouate legislation covering civil avta-
ton I wish to emphasize again the
necessity for such legislation II COM
mercial aviation is TO make real prog
cSS in this country.
While the progress during the year
has been reasonably satisfactory. con
sidering the funds appropriated, II
must he realized that unless approprl-
etions are increased there can be no
material increase in numbers OF air
craft, as the appropriations Tor the
last five years have been just about
sufficient to purchase planes to meet
the normal attrition."
DESPITE what he described as 'un-
usually heavy casualties net gain
OF "a naval aviators during the year
was noted by Admiral Moffett, but he
emphasized that a greater yearly in
Crea Sc is necessary to meet the de-
nands of the service. Because of the
shortage it was necessary TO continue
the operation of 12-plane squadronS
instead of expanding to 1Splane
squadrons. as authorized.
The casualties numbered 80 killed,
q seriously injured and SO who sus-
tanned minor injuries. This compared
with IS killed. II seriously injured and
o6 who sustained minor injuries in
1924. The number of naval aviators
was $50 on last July /, compared with
33S a year before.
The casualties were sustained dur
ing a total of 63,7S2 flight hours, in
which there were 1866 crashes. This
compared with ,S3S hours and $50
1851 flights were made from the air
craft squadrons of the battle fleet,
9.l39 from the aircraft squadrons of
the scouting fleet, and $50 from the
aircraft carrier Langley. Others from
the ASiatic feet and air stations
brought the total of fights to S5,447.