Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-23
Ocean Flyers Lauded
Association Urges Government
to Promote Future Air Travel.

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70 the Editor of The Star:
The American Flyers Association
exceedingly regrets the loss of so
many of the worlds most capable
flyers during, the past few months Of
ocean travel. However, we do feel
that these men and women have sacri-
feed their lives in the promotion OF
air travel, and that these pilots must
be included as real pioneers In the
field of ocean travel.
1t Is regretted that statements have
appeared in newspapers quoting indi-
viduals and groups to the effect that
these pilots were only stunning on
these trips and that they played no
part in the advancement of oversee
flying. No two expeditions have
started on ocean flights with the same
equipment. In fact, no two planes OF
the same construction have figured in
the ocean fights. The fact that one,
two or three machines have been sue.
cessful in the crossing Is not conclu-
sive that such a venture is feasible
from a commercial standpoint. Not
until 100 or even 1000 trips have
been made will the public accept it as
reasonably safe. Each additional
flight. whether successful or not, will
contribute. and does contribute, to-
ward perfecting a machine that will
be able to make this type of flight.
To say that these men have re.
tarded aviation because OF the failure
of their flights Is both ungrateful and
unfair. To say that they have only
stunted in their attempt would indi.
cate that the speaker did not have a
sincere interest in the development of
aviation.
Some statements have been printed
to the effect that the pilots of these
machines have attempted their flights
with the sole idea of securing pub
Lefty. I would much rather say that
the persons who attempt to belittle
the motive Of these air pioneers were
the real publicity seekers, only instead
of risking their lives to secure it they
would attempt to capitalize on the
exploits of those who have made the
supreme sacrifice in the promotion of
air travel
1 believe that it Is unwise for any
individual or group to advocate the
barring Of future flights. 1t would
have been just as sensible for the
European nations to refuse to allow
any of her brave navigators to sail
for America after Ericsson, Columbus
ct al. had proved it could be done,
because Of the loss of life on subse-
quent expeditions. 1t Is because Of
those early sacrifices, this stream of
expeditions, that resulted in the found
ing Of our Nation.
Like similar organizations through
out the world, we believe that steps
should be taken to insure ocean pilots
of maximum amount Of protection
IAis, k.t,> l., l.
that the seaplane will prove to be the
logical vehicle for ocean flying, or
that the multi-motored machine Is
much better than the single-motored
plane, still, no ban should be made
that would prevent our aviators and
the aviators of other nations from
attempting to prove these claims.
We anticipate governmental control
over ocean flights, but believe that
this control should be productive in
stead of prohibitive. Planes should
be equipped with radio and compelled
to fash their positions at given inter-
walls. 1t should be necessary for an
experienced navigator to accompany
each flight. At the same time. how
ever, we do not believe that the Gov
eminent should take any steps toward
the barring of ocean trips; rather. it
would be better to encourage them.
The United States can i'll afford to
initiate any move to bar these flights
at this time. OF the seven eastward
crossings of the Atlantic Ocean five
of them have been American eXpedi-
tons. The four planes that have
crossed from America to Hawaii have
all been driven by American pilots,
and the United States Army has sent
three planes around the world, the
only ones to accomplish this to this
date. 1t would indeed smack of ex-
treme seifishness for this country at
this time to lead movement that
would prevent aviators from other
nations from equaling or lettering the
records set by the American flyers.
In summing up the stand of our
organization. / might say that the
A. +. A. deplores the newspaper pub
licity given to those who attempt to
belittle the feats Of the flyers who are
missing in action in their attempt to
promote their hobby. 1t would repu.
date any statement that would ques-
ton the motive that prompted these
fights. 1t would brand as unfair any
statement that would list their ex-
plot as a stunt and unproductive to
the promotion of flying. They must
be rated, as they justly deserve. as
real pioneers of oceanic travel.
When an individual or group would
attempt to secure newspaper space
through statements contrary to exist
ing facts regarding these flyers and
flights, when claims are made that
the men and women who sacrificed
their lives have hurt rather than
helped aviation, when it is said that
the pilots who are missing were just
stunt flyers and not pioneers-the A.
F.. A. insists that the only real pub
Lefty seekers are those who, without
the risk of their own lives, would at
tempt to break into print at the ex
pense of those who have died for the
promotion OF air travel. These are
the ones that do hurt aviation.
THOMAS C.. MCKEE,
Acting President, the American