Evening star., 1928-05-11
Naval Aviation Discipline.

More interest VIII center around In%
findings OF the special board appointed
by Secretary Wilbur TO inquire into
and report upon certain phases oi The
administration of naval aviation activi-
ties" than any other activity in naval
aviation today. tnasmuch as the oues-
tion Of virtually independent Bureau
/ nfs Aeronautics may have to be consid-
cred by the board in Its efforts to
solve the problem presented by person.
mel, if such a problem Is found in ex-
istence.
II is probable that the board may dis
cover psychological condition existing
among the naval aviators that is not
found in the regular line OF the service.
such rs the House declared 10 be in ex-
istence in the Army Air Corps when IL
passed the Furlow bill calling for sep
aratc promotion list for Army airmen.
The Eouse adopted the report OF the
committee on military affsirc. which
said that the Army Air Corps lis quite
different from the other branches ard
faces conditions peculiar TO that service
alone"
Further the report said. ":he casualty
rate is high expectancy of life for the
iying officer is far less than In other
occupations, strain on the physical re-
sistance from combat flying Is excessive.
the oeriod of greatest flying efficiency Is
limited. responsibilities Of air officers
are heavy and promotion has stag
nated'
The inquiry hinges about discipline,
which the Bureau OF Navigation Is re-
sponsible for, because 1t furnishes the
men to the various matsriel bureaus.
Based on findings Of the Bureau Of
| Aeronautics itself that twenty deaths
were due 10 low stunting IN direct dis
obedience OF standing orders. and that
this further shows that this peculiar
form OF aslninity is INDUCED In far
more frequently than reports indicate
Rear Admiral Richard H. Leigh. chief
of the Bureau OF Navigation, thought
it time to step In and inquire about
the personnel ne Is furnishing naval
aviation In the operation OF It's planes.
The adrniral's purpose Is to save lives,
and IL lives can be saved by employing
methods OF strict discipline. he Will
have accomplished his purpose.
But there appears TO be question as
to whether naval aviators can be dis
ciplined in the same way that other
naval ofacers are. and whether they can
be disciplined by superior officers who
are not aviators. An expert cn cer-
tain subject usually resehts being told
/ how to conduct himself in the perform.
ance OF his duties by some one totally
or even partially unfamiliar with that
particular work.
OF course, there Is no excuse for yio-
lating orders prohibiting acrobatics al
low attitudes. Admiral Leigh probably
is aiming at a stiff penalty Tor those
who survive such peculiar forms oi
ssinlnity" In an effort to discourage
even prevent, outright future occur
rences. Twenty naval airmen would
be alive today. would be Of service n
their country and sources Of happlnes'
70 their families, IL they had but tbeyec
the regulations.
Admiral Leigh deserves whole heart
ed support for his efforts 10 tighten ~
on what is alleged TO be certain
amount OF Iaxity In naval aviation dis
cipiine. and Rear Admiral William A
Moffett. chief of the Bureau of Aero
nautics. deserves great credit for fear
lessIy exposing the crash situation II
naval aviation, with the sole purpose II
view Of impressing the personnel viii
The necessity for Improvement
with it all. naval aviation Is not In
partial state Of mutiny, collapse or In
efficiency. For military nsina, It 4
twenty-five per cent safer .l1a5 he nez
nearest foreign military flying orgsnizs
ton. ftA fiying performances are ~
celient.
II me board Is going 70 e0nfine itsei
" the l0y-ztiintiDg phase and closei
related subjects. IL win find co-opsratiOi
from every one IN naval aviation, nut
the question OF discipline for aviator
Of the same brand ~ " iise5 for tb
line officers is brought up there ma
be mag In the form OF the old con
3 troverss of "non-hying officers 1icta,
, ! ing 10 The cir branch how II shall con
) duct itieif. rhat ~ where the matte
! of control by the Bureau ot Aeroasutic
, Of ,,s own personnel wiIl arise.
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