Evening star., 1927-11-20
u. S. WILL GUIDE AIRMEN
In 1923 OCEAN FLIGHTS
Government Will Give Every Assistance in
Perilous Hops Provided Adventurer OBJ
serves Safety Regulations Demanded.

where civilian pilots are participating.
OF course, IL Is understood that Gov
ernment pilots will engage in no
flights of Suicidal" character.
Transoceanic hops. or rather at.
tempted hops, are 'foolhardy" and
suicidal" it is pointed out, when
careful supervision of the qualifica-
tions of the pilots and the airworthi-
ness of the plane and equipment II
lacking. 20,
Severe criticism of the plan to fur
ther aviation by means of prize con-
tests arose as a result or the loss or
life in the Dole Hawaiian flight. Gov
ernment officials are inclined to frown
on such contests because OF the fear
that in the haste to prepare for such
a competition. coupled with the neces-
sity for setting definite hour for
starting, proper safeguards for the
flyers may be overlooked.
Department of Commerce repre-.
sentatiVeS who assisted in establishing
certain standards for entrants in the
Hawaiian flight are said to regard as
highly significant the fact that every
| flyer who succeeded in reaching the
islands had measured up to the sug-
gested specifcations. both as regards
personnel and equipment. -.
Lost Flyers Faced Discipline.
While department officials are re-
luctant to discuss the disastrous
| phases Of the Dole contest, 1t has
| been rumored that several of the
pilots who met an unknown fate were
| to have been disciplined under the
Federal aviation regulations had they
returned safely. What form this Of
| fetal displeasure might have taken
| is not known. but the conjecture is
| that their licenses would have been
| revoked or suspended for reckless
flying, which might be taken to in-
clude use of faulty or inadequate
equipment.
1t is thus apparent that Uncle Sam
may exercise some measure OF re-
straint on the foolhardv. even though
| it's effect is gained indirectly. No
| flyer wishes to be deprived Of his
| flying license, and it is reasonable to
believe that he would do all in his
power to adhere to safe and sane
principles in preparing for a long
aerial jaunt over the deep.
1t Is assured that the Department
! Of Commerce, which looks after civil
aviation, and other departments inter.
ested in aeronautics will cooperate
fully with aviators who embark on
perilous flights. providing they show
a disposition to take reasonable pre-.
/ against OGSdH ildZdIuS. 4iI0
Government has manifested this
willingness to cooperate in the past.
and 1t will bend every effort to do
so in the future. 1t will place its
best weather prognosticators at the
disposal Of those arranging such ven.
lures. 1t will offer the collaborat ton
of it's navigation and geographic ex-
perts in mapping out the best course
to be followed. 1t will assist In the
rescue work. if disaster should over.
take the adventures. ~
That there will be frequent demand
for these governmental services dur-
ing the coming year is indicated by
the fact that preliminary plans for
new flights OF dangerous nature
already are being laid.
Schlee and Brock, who flew around
the globe as far as Japan and We're
forced to forego a suicidal" attempt
TO span the Pacific in difference to a
rising tide of public protest. plan to
follow in the path set out upon by
the Inflated Redfern. and fly from this
country to Rio de JaneirO.
Comdr. Byrd Is making arrange.
ments for an aerial exploration OF
the South Pole region. similar to that
he made over the North Pole. He
probably will not complete his plans
in time for the 1928 season. how
ever.
Mr.. McCracken is said to have been
advised of a number Of other flights
being projected.
Uncle Sam Is proud the spirit OF
the American pioneers is still alive.
But. like any other dutiful father. he
/ hopes his boys will use proper care in
! roiy, ~ THAR oy,ihorQnra