Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-26
By J. 8. EDGERTON.

CLEVELAND, August 26.-Aviation's
annual classic, the National Air Races
and Aircraft Exposition, got on to an i'm
pressive start yesterday afternoon with
military and civilian pilots wing fol
honors before a throng estimated al
"a, 900 persons, showing a section OF
recent aviation development in all Its
branches.
The latest combat maneuvers of the
Army, Navy and Marine Corps fight
ing pilots were contrasted with the
peaceful meanderings of most unwar-
like commercial planes. powered with
motors of ancient vintage.
The crowds were treated to two Of
the latest features of modern aviation
The Nays new all-metal dirigiblt
came over from Detroit for q brief visit
Soon after 1t had buzZed contentedly
away q glider. towed as a trailer be-
hind an airplane. came in from Ypsi-
lanti, Mich, and cut loose for a grace.
full landing. The lack of any soune
from the beautiful little craft was
somewhat eerie after an afternoon Of
listening to the roarings Of its motoreo
brethren.
Chute Jumpers Are Busy.
The air was full of parachute jump
ers for nearly an hour. Six OF then
got overheard In about three second:
| from a cabin monoplane. piloted BY
Miss Elinor Smith. They were demon
strating the ease with which airplant
passengers might escape In case o.
emergency as well as the emcacy o.
the modern parachute. ;.
The other jumpers were engaged II
| contest to determine who could ge'
out at an altitude of at least $500 fee
and come closest to the circular felo
marker. They landed all over tht
place except on the marker.
Though the contest was one OF &C.
curacy In landing to the mrak. 1t De-
came an entirely different sort OF con-
\ test for certain Of the spectators, ONT
group being observed making up pools
on whether the jumper would 9poI
striking the ground, fall forward OF
what the Navy refers to as their stern
sheets" Many jumpers, however, nxee
the betters by remaining on their feet.
Cleveland's Huge Field.
Cleveland has laid out a truly i'm.
mense airport on Rocky River. IA mile:
from the heart of the city. The neie
ia said to be q mile square and looks
every inch Of It,
Looking from the grandstand acros;
| the field at the distant hangers ane
field administration building. one re-
meets: well, II / had to 60 over there
| I think I'd want to fiy." And tnat Il
lust what some Of the pilots did. I'm
ishing up in front Of the STANDS, tneS
took off, few across the great oper
expanse and landed, lost in the dis
lance, over on the other side: 49,
A five-story control tower forms the
center of the new development made
especially for the races. From either
side of the tower grandstands seating
so 900 persons stretch away down tne
field boundaries. A good-sized COM
munity Of temporary buildings has beer
erected to house all manner OF re-
treatment stands. newspaper omcea
, public telephones and telegraph omces
Elaborate Opening Ceremony.
The Zig flying classic was opened
with an elaborate ceremony. Guns were
Aired, tn. nag raised and many fire-
works set OF.
Announcers and speakers micro
phoned remarks were doomed 1ortn
fhroueh clusters of loud speakers on Q
three .uuarter-M1ile tnrnt.