Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-01
Indy SEES NEED
OF I'd. c. A|RPORTS
Landing Field Mile Square
Near City Cited as Imme-
diate Necessity.

commission, yesterday afternoon.
Appearing in response to an invi-
tation to give his views to the COM
mission, Col. Lindbergh summed up
the immediate air needs OF the Capital
as an airport one mile square. close
to the city, with modern lighting de-
vices, a passenger station and restau-
rant and hotel accommodations.
When Senator Bingham. Repub-
lican Of Connecticut, chairman OF the
commission, asked the colonel II there
would be any disadvantage in having
two fields. one on the river front close
to the center of the city. and the other
on higher ground on the outskirts, the
flyer replied:
IT would say Washington would re-
ouire both fields before many years.
Nearly all cities are figuring on more
than one"
Enthusiastic on Subject.
While members of the Senate and
House listened attentively 10 ms every
word. Col. Lindbergh plunged into the
subject with an enthusiasm which re-
vealed his keen knowledge of all phases
Of aviation and the problem OF how best
to provide for its rapid development.
He answered every question carefully
and yet without trace OF hesitation.
Zone of the most important consld-
erations is its distance from the city.
he said, referring to location OF the
airport. IF 1t requires an hour or more
to reach the city after landing, that
takes away to a large extent any ad-
vantage gained by flying say from
New York to the Capital"
would 20 minutes distance from the
Capital be reasonable?" asked Char-
man Bingham.
The colonel said that would be rea-
&onable, adding that the shorter the
distance the better.
Col, Lindbergh said that, naturally,
Il should be the aim to locate the arr
port where there is as little log as
possible, On the other hand, ne pre-
6icted there undoubtedly will be more
than one airport. and that planes could
land at one when the other is fog
bound.
Distance of Prime Importance.
~Other things being fairly equal" he
continued. IT would say that the CUES
ton of distance from the city would be
Of prime importance"
Questioned regarding his recommend
alton for a field mile square, the
rclonel said it is essential to have
iarse landing place for the safe opera
tsoS Of modern transport planes, adding
that ssWashington. ought to have nelo
corrarable to any in the world.
IN this same connection, he declared
there are no airports IN the UnlOeo
states today to compare with the larger
European fields, like Croydon, IN Eng
land. or LIE Bourget, In France.
Answering q query by RepreSentauVe
Zihlman Of Maryland, Lindbergn saio
he had not experienced mucn Iog IA
coming into Boiling Field, adding that
~ has only landed there few times
atznsuht, Aske6 for his opinion about
Conditions around Gravelly Point, the
site recommended by the CommB-
sioners. the colonel said he was mol
farlfliar with the various locations sug-
SIsen Chairman Bingham asked him
about the future development OF trans
nnrE service passing through Washing
tor Ne said he thought that for the
present the greater number OF pas
setseer planes landing here would be
these plying between New York ano
Soflth. America. Within a few years,
however. transport lines will be develop
ing between this region and points on
the other side Of the Eastern noun
tais,s. thus bringing in Western trans
ports, he continued.
The Trained Pilot Question.
s.Pessimists say we will not have
enough trained pilots to keep pace with
the development Of air transportation,
Chairman Bingham remarked.
THAT will take care of itself" the
colonel ANSWERED with assurance. Thou
SANDS of student flyers now are in
training On the other hand. there are
not sufficient facilities now to give
training to all who want it,"
Answering Representative Undernih
Of Massachusetts, as to whether the
local airport should be separate from
or eombined with military aviation, the
witness said there should be separate
fields.
Col. Lindbergh said that to operate
air transports successfully 1t VIII DC
necessary to maintain the regularity Of
landatravel, and he predicted that ne
expected to see the day when planes
can land in weather conditions In
which the field is not visible. He told
of devices being perfected for landing
in a5fcg. He said these methods would
be tried first in the air mail service and
DEVELOPED to a high degree of safety be-
fore being applied to transport service
Discusses Fog Element.
Questioned again about the element
of fog, Col Lindbergh said he woulC
hesitate to place the field where there
Is an excess of fog, but, on the othel
hand, difference Of a few days In thu
year in fog conditions would not com.
pehsate for going far from the city.
Senator Bingham asked If there L
any. prospect Of developing feasible
netiod Of having planes go straight up
instead of requiring long runways To-
taking OF.
Col. Lindbergh said there is no pros
pect at present Of a commercial plan'
that will go straight up and down. Thu
heticopter functions satisfactorily To-
scientific studies. he said. but he pre-
diEted a good many years would pas
before that principle is applied to com
nercial flying. Even II that develop
ment should come, he added, the larg,
fields now being planned would b
needed to take care of the increase II
flying
When Senator Vanderberg aSke,
about the cost Of operation of airports
the colonel replied that I'VE expect u
operate airports at a profit in future
OuL AZ pTSSeIlL lIlc lLlOuSJIy ID % YUM
we have no background of figures Oh
costs.
Senator Bingham asked If he though
student aviators should be trained Il
stunt flying.
IT think acrohatics should be a par
Of the training of every pilot so that h
Will be able to take a plane out of an
80. -XY~Y I