Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-15

Success of the -irmy plane, Question
Mark, in its record endurance flight on
the Pacific Coast gives rise to many
new prophecies of rapid air develop
ment in the near future. It Is believed
not only that the globe soon will be
circled, but that there will be wide
resultant extension of the scope of air
transportation.
AS a climax of recent achievements
the feat suggests to the Oakland Trib-
une the fact that "the same year that
saw the twenty-fifth anniversary of
aviation was one of outstanding prog
ress in aeronautics." and that, follow
ing the "ten great fights of 1925" there
comes in the new year the development
that "all endurance records have been
broken In flight which also demon
strated the possibility of refueling air
planes while in the air."
What this epoch-making test seems
to demonstrate" according to the Gin
cinnati Times-Star, sis the possibility
of sustained nonstop flights clear
about the earth, provided subsidiary
gasoline -freighted machines are in
readiness at proper intervals. 1t would
take long planning and elaborate equip
ment to assure such venture. Yet 1t
may be attempted" The Trenton Eve
ming Times holds that these American
pilots and American motors have
achieved results which rebound to the
advantage of aeronauticS in an inSpira-
tional way" The Albany Evening News
sees value in the flight, remarking that
sit may have no marked immediate
benefit, but 1t does show the further
possibilities of aviation and it gives
more and more confidence In flying"
X X X n
"If there were fuel ships scattered
through the Atlantic and Pacific carry
ing tons of gas to supply planes, these
convenient deep-sea filling stations
would cause transoceanic air touring to
! increase by leaps and bounds" in the
opinion of the Birmingham News, and
the Flint Daily Journal suggests several
future possibilities: In military use
planes can go aloft with large cargoes
of bombs and small gasoline supply, the
pilots depending on refueling In the air
In commercial flying greater cargoes
can be carried and stops can be elimi-
mated"
What seems to interest aeronautical
men especially" says the Kalamazoo
Gazette, lis the fact that the Question
Mark was refueled 81 times during the
long grind. Not only gasoline but oil,
carried up to the roaring monoplane
and transferred without the slightest
mishap." The Montgomery Advertiser
believes that ''in time it Is not unlikely
that it will be o common practice to
refuel planes in flight on commercial
lines" The San Antonio Express sug-
gestS that "the aerial tanker soon may
become familiar sight and other de-
vices also may be employed to supply
planes with fuel while in flight"
y X X X
"The readiness with which the hui
man mechanism adapts itself to condi-
| tons has been demonstrated by the crew
of the Question Mark" states the In
| dianapoliS Star, observing that the
motors had roared steadily more than
six days and the flyers had taken their
rest to the accompaniment of that ter
rife din" The Richmond News-Leader
agrees that "a man who has to listen
| for days to the unbroken roar OF air
plane motors is entitled to all the dis
tinction he gets by breaking q record"
| The Lexington Leader points to "one
of the spectacular features of the flight,
which, aside from the refueling, has
been the work of the mechanics who
have made all repairs in flight. who
have changed spark plugs, stopped the
propeller Of one of the motors and re-
paired 1t, and have gone about their
tasks In routine manner and with as
much indifference as though under the
roof Of garage"
THE achievement of the Question
Mark" says the Charlotte Observer
was a distinct and valuable contribu-
| ton to the cause of aviation and not
| in the same class with some suicidal
attempts that have been made In the