Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-05
German Flyer and Co-PiIot
Here for Welcome by Hoover
and Guests at Embassy.
FLIGHT is DECLARED
NOTHING TO DREAD
Two Courses Suggested for Trans
atlantic Service Divided Into
Three Stages.

Regular transatlantic airplane serv-
ice by way of Iceland and Greenland
is practicable with present-day equip
nent, in the opinion of Capt. Wolfgang
Won Gronau, hero of the fourth sue
cessful crossing of the Atlantic by air.
plane from east to west, who arrived
in the National Capital today with
his co-pilot, Edward thinner, to re-
ceive the Nations official welcome from
President Hoover.
The ocean crossing should be divided
into three stages, Capt. Won Gronau
believes, with intermediate bases on
the West coast of England, Iceland and
either one or two bases on Greenland.
at is most important that radio sta
tons be established at these bases" ne
said. "Refueling facilities and repair
shops also should be available at the
bases. If these things be done am
convinced that regular airplane service
across the ocean will be possible on q
commercial basis"
Flight Not to Be Dreaded.
Capt. Won Gronau said that his flight
illustrates that the ocean flight need
not be dreaded. He made no prepa-
rations for the flight and proceeded
as though 1t were no more unusual
than any ordinary cross-country hight,
he said.
1--WE used an old plane, without
proper radio equipment, and made no
advance preparations" he said. IF We
were able to do this and still to get
through without undue delays In the
face Of almost continuous storms and
fog, it should not be difficult to duph-
cate the trip regularly and successfully
with the modern equipment which Is
available today"
Capt. Won Gronau and his fellow fy-
er, thinner, came to the National Cap
ital by rail from New York, leaving
their big Dornier Wal flying boat and
the other two members OF the crew
behind. They were accompanied mere
bv DR.. Otto C, Kiep, counselor and
charge d'affaires of the German en-
bassy, whose guests they are during
their stay in Washington.
After receiving the congratulations OF
President Hoover, Won Gronau ana
thinner were photographed with the
President on the south lawn OF the
White House. They told him OF their
trip and of their belief that commercial
aircraft can follow with safety the trial
they blazed.
After being met at Union Station this
morning by members Of the German
embassy staff, they we're taken to the
Fl home Of DR.. Kiep. 1929 Idaho avenue,
for breakfast.
On sightseeing Trip.
During the morning they were taken
on a sightseeing trip, which included
a stop at the Department OF Com
merce, where they were welcomed by
Clarence M. Young, Assistant Secretary
of Commerce for Aeronautics, who ac-
companied them to the White House.
After being received by the President
the flyers returned to the German En-
bassy for luncheon with DR.. Kiep. DR..
Kiep will give an informal dinner IN
their honor tonight at his home.
Capt Won Gronau, crisp spoken
veteran of the German Imperial Navy
flying service, said that he made his
unexpected fight to the United States
as a part of a training program OF the
Deutzche Verkerhs Fieger Schulz, gov
ernmental flying school at Warne-
muende, Germany, of which he is man
ager. The three members OF his crew
are students at the school.
Each year, he explained, the school
sponsors one long air trip; last year
Iceland was the goal. During that
trip a thorough study of meteorological
and flight conditions was made, result
Continued on Page 2, Column A.