The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-08-05
FANCHER SAYS
NORTHERN AIR
ROUTE Is BEST
Early Establishment of Air
Mail Service Through
bismarck Predicted

Spokane, Wash, August 5.--Eariy
Of 30-hour air man
service across the United States from
the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean
over the route Of the proposed north
ern airway was predicted here today
by Major John T. Fancher, manag-
ing director of the National Air
Derby association of Spokane.
Major Fancher has just returned
home after round trip flight TO
New York over the course OF the
northern air way, which is generally
the course Of the National Air Derby
race from New York to Spokane to
be flown September 10 to Il IN az
vance Of the national air races TO be
held ut the Spokane airport Septem-
Der % and "a.
"And it will be the greatest air
mail line and commercial alrway
across the United States Major
Fancher declard. His opinion as to
the feasibility of the northern route
is based on study of flying condi-
tions made for the purpose OF com
piling Il booklet to be given all air
pilots in the New York to Spokane
race for S2s,750 prize money. =,
He paid particular attention OF the
flying conditions, fields, attitudes,
and general flying hazards in Mime
sofa, Wisconsin, North and South Da-
kota, Montana and Idaho. The fast
mail service from the northwest in
to New York which Major Fancher
believes will result from establish
ment Of the northern route is based
on his own flying time of 20 hours
and 81 minutes from Spokane to New
York. He flew a Douglas o. plane
with Sergeant Raymond A. Carroll,
mechanic, as his passenger.
Want Quick Action
people along the proposed north
crn airway are determined to have
this route in operation as soon as
possible" continued Major Fancher.
Congress can expect to hear from
them at the next session, and espe-
cially following the New York-Spo-
kane race, which will prove beyond
the slightest doubt that the route is
practical, and will mean much to the
upbuilding Of the northwest"
MANY of the hazards confronting
air mail pilots flying the present
transcOntinental route are not to be
encountered in the proposed north
ern airway The greatest altitude
necessary over this route was found
by US just east of Butte, Mont, where
we rose to 1900 feet in crossing over
the Rockies. The average flying al
titude is between 5000 and 1000
feet, and in all our flight there were
only nine minutes that we could not
have found landing field because OF
the roughness of the country"
The observation which Major Fan
cher has made Of the route has been
an exceedingly close one as the pur-
pose of his flight was to log the
trip for the National Air Derby race.
He inspected fields where overnight
and five-minute stops must be mad.
by pilots flying in the race.
Fields Found Satisfactory
"Missoula, Mont, has very sat
isfactory field he reported to tia
local contest committee. Aviation
enthusiasts in Butte have promised
to have their field in very satisfac-
tory condition at the time of our
race.
Billings, Mont, has field on &
slight incline, but it will be good
field when smoothed out. Miles City
Mont, will also have a good field
when it is smOothed off. Glendive
Mont, has good field, while Bis
marck, N. d., has just acquired .
municipal aviation field.
by the time Of our derby, Fargo
N. d., will have splendid field a.
the Fargo chapter Of the Nationa
Aeronautic association Of the Unite,
States has 400 live, hardworkin!
members"
Every satisfactory" was the ratinl
and Bryan, Ohio.
"Cleveland has one of the fins
fields / ever flew over" the majo
continued. Chicago is working o.
its municipal field at present, an
will have wonderful port.
1.-THE reception accorded US whe
we landed at these various town
along the route was demonstrate
of the public demand for develop
ment of commercial aviation. With
out exception, every city reporte
that the National Air Derby froI
New York would mean the establish
ment of the northern airway.
Northern Route Best
"While the various cities are er
thusiastic about the coming rae
they do not intend to allow thei
enthusiasm to die when the race
over. Instead they expect to unit
in the cause for the northern rout
The towns are putting their none
into this race. Free gasoline and 0
will be furnished the pilots at ever
stopping point along the route.
many instances lap money is bein
posted by the towns. They are n,
doing this simply because of Il
race, but because they want aviatio
to 60 forward"
Major Fancher pointed out .th'
one Of the greatest helps to pilo
flying in the National Air Derby
the fact that the course, which is
dual course from st. Paul westwar
follows the Northern Pacific al
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul raj
] roads.
"This is an important factor
navigation. and in the developmel
Of an air mail line" he said. TT
u0rthern air mail line, in my OPT
ION. would be . payer, from the vel
first, because it leads through Il
most fair-minded section of Il
country. People in the north .
awake to the necessity and adva
taees Of aviation, and will be reat
% assist commercial aviation at {
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