Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-22
AVIATION
BY JOSEPH S. EDdERToN.

TINE year now coming to a
close has been one of mixed
blessings to aviation. On
the whole the trend has
neen most encouraging and many
important achievements have
peen entered in the aviation book
OF records. On the other hand.
many aviation people, especially
Cne manufacturers, have felt the
year.
There is no question that avia-
ton has been passing through a
period of overinf1ation. There
are indications, however, that the
period of unhealthy growth has
ABOUT reached its peak and that
the coming year will see stabiliz-
Ing influences at work creating a
more healthy situation.
Growth has been too rapid for
the good of the aviation industry.
TOO much energy has been eX-
pended in mere growth. Condi-
lions have been tolerated, of
necessity, which will not be
tolerated when the industry be-
comes more stabilized. There will
be continued growth and it un-
doubtedly will be rapid growth,
but it will be more orderly and
better directed.
The most important advances of
the year have been in the diree-
ton of operations. In the manu-
featuring end the industry has
had its chief difficulties. Produc-
ton has been lower than was
anticipated and several manu-
featuring plants have closed their
doors. The crash in the financial
market undoubtedly FASTENED the
downfall of some of these weaker
manufacturers, but they already
were doomed and would have
been forced out in the not far
distant future.
Unjustified Production.
Caught up in the wave of avia-
ton enthusiasm which has rolled
over the world during the past
two years, aircraft manufacturers
nave gone into production on a
scale unjustified by actual circum-
stances and the fate which has
OVertaken them was inevitable.
SO much for the gloomy side of
the aviation picture. The rest,
fortunately, has been exceedingly
bright, except for a few isolated
patches. There have been great
gains made in air transport opera
lions in this country. There have
been great increases in aircraft
licenses issued, though the num-
bers were not as large as had been
anticipated. The number of new
pilots licenses issued, however,
has been enormous as compared
with the past record.
Official reports to the Depart
ment Of Commerce indicate that
more than 100000 American
citizens will have ridden in air
planes during the year 1929. Dur
ing the first six months of the
year an average Of 254 passengers
flew daily on established Always,
while an average of 3,3l1 pas
sengers flew each day in mis-
cellaneous operations, such as
aerial sightseeing flights, air
taXicab services and other forms
Of unScheduled flying. This means |
that each day during the first half |
OF the year an average of 1856 |
passengers took to the air. Dur
ing the last six months, though |
compilation of figures has not |
been completed, this number has |
been increased by approximately |
IS per cent, it is believed. The |
opening Of 1890 probably will find
approximately 10000 American
people flying each day.
Figures Show Progress.
The close of this year will find
approximately $500 licensed air
planes in the United States, with
3,l00 more officially identified, but
not licensed. Active pilots licenses
today number approximately
$500; while students permits
have been issued to nearly $4,000
persons. There are more than
T,100 licensed airplane mechanics
in the country.
The past year has witnessed the
smashing of more aviation world
records than any previous year.
Thirteen new records already have
been placed on the rolls of the
Federation AeronautiQue Interna-
tionale during the year to date.
The close of the year finds the
United States in possession of
two of the new records, another
having been won and then lost
again. The Seaplane altitude
record is held by Lieut.. Apollo
Soucek, U. S. N, who climbed to
1880 feet above the AnacoStia
Naval Air Station. The repeatedly
broken refueling endurance record
now is held by Dale Jackson and
Forest O. Brine of st. Louis, who
were off the ground 400 hours and
II minutes.
Great Britain holds the speed
record as result of the flight of
Squadron Leader A. H. Orlebar
over a measured course at 357.7
miles per hour
The fourth major record, the
land plane altitude record, was
captured by Lieut.. Apollo Soucek
at Anacostia, but was lost again
"a few days later to Will Neuen-
hofen of Germany, who rose to
ALTA feet. Soucek is prepared for
another attempt on the record as
soon as he has favorable weather.
Mechanical Pilot Is Aid.
The other nine new records are
in what are regarded as the minor
categories, being speed records for
distance and with loads, distance
for lightsplanes, and altitude with
payloadS. In addition to these
official records there were a num-
Der of unofficial records recorded
during the year, among the most
notable of the American achieve
ments being the West-to-EaSt
transcontinental nonstop flight