Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-16
BY LIEUT.. n. b. (NICK) Manner.


Written Exclusively for The Star and the
North American Newspaper Alliance.
FELTS FIELD, Spokane, Wash, Au
gust 16.-On the eve of the departure
Of the Spokane Sun God on our nom
stop refueling transcontinental flight
description Of our plane and what we
hope to accomplish seems opportune.
Both Art Walker, my co-pilot and
mechanic, and I are confident of sue
cess, although this Is the first time the
two and half tons of weight will be
lifted into the air at an altitude OF
1000 feet above sea level. Practically
all other heavily laden endurance
planes have taken of from much lower
attitudes.
Walker and myself anticipate get
ting a great deal of information out OF
hourly weather reports and observa-
lions along the entire route. Tests
made have proved the radio practical
for such use.
Severe Test Of Motor.
After a successful Spokane-New York
Spokane fight, it IS our opinion that
the motor will have been given the
most severe test ever given alrplane
motive power. 1t is true that other mo-
tors will have remained aloft for
longer period Of time. but the real test
will come in the fact that this motor
will be carrying an almost capacity
load from start to finish and through
all sorts of weather conditions and
varying attitudes. Motors flown in re-
cent endurance flights have made won
derful records, but always in the same
climatic conditions and attitudes. 49,.
All the endurance pilots from the
time of the Army plane Question
oh r.
did record of O'Brine and Jackson at
ST. Louis are to be complimented on
their accomplishments, as they have
proved that refueling over an airport is
practical and that American motors are
superior to all others.
Great Contribution to Aviation.
They have made a wonderful contri-
button to commercial aviation, which
must progress rapidly in the United
States. Their contributions must be
carried forward and 1t is with this view
in mind that we are setting out to prove
to commercial aviation that refuel1ng
while in fight over a daily operation OF
passenger, express. air mail and freight
services is practical and will be In COM
mon use within a relatively short time.
From such refueling there will be
even faster airplane service from the
Pacific to the Atlantic. Nonstop flights
will be common, and these will be OF
tremendous benefit to the financial
world and business men.
There also Is a big financial benefit
to be derived by flying companies from
refueling between terminals. The pay
load Of the. airplane at this time is
greatly reduced because OF the large
poundage in gas necessary. This nom
profit producing poundage can be great
~ reduced by frequent refuelings in the
air, thereby increasing the pay load
Wear and tear, which comes mostly to
airplanes in landings, also will be re-
duced by fewer landings, made possible
by refueling in the air.
VIII Fly 5,OOO-Foot Altitude.
One of the most pleasing points in
my departure from here this evening
is the fact that the Spokane Sun God
will be flying over the latest addition
to the Nations air mail system, the
connecting link from Spokane to Pasco
and Pasco to Portland. The award Of
this contract to the Varney airlines by
the Post Office Department today has
Just been called to my attention.
When only a short distance out from
Spokane. we expect to climb to 5000
foot altitude for a flight down the Co
lumbia gorge to Portland, where dark
ness will have overtaken us. The same
altitude will be maintained until we
reach Eugene, Ore, where we will go
to 10000 feet on a compass course down
the Pacific Coast to San Francisco.
Each night as darkness oyertakes us
we will put on parachutes.
We are looking forward with great
deal Of interest to our first refueling
contact at either San Francisco or Sac
ramento. We will be refueled by a
crew of pilots We never have met be-
fore. However, it has been mutually
agreed that we shall meet over Dun
barton Bridge at 1000 feet altitude at
4:45 o'clock.
Right Kind of Hose Tested.
In our refueling practice, we found
refueling hose Nth an inside d.
ameter of one in0h and a length of SO
feet to be the besS. Refueling planes
along the route have been instructed to
use Is pounds of lead strapping on the
end of the hose. Refueling pilots will
seek the altitude with the best air and
fly in straight line course at mini