Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-31
ENG|NEERSSTUDY
AIRPORT FACTORS
Problems of Drainage and
Surfacing to BE Covered
by 100 Committees.

Cooperating with the aeronautics
branch Of the Department of Commerce,
the American Engineering Council,
public service body of the engineering
profession OF the Nation, is organizing
more than 100 local committees to
study atrports. About 40 of these
committees have been named.
The work OF the committees is linked
with world investigation of the prob
lens Of airport drainage and surfacing
which is being conducted by a general
committee composed of experts of the
council, the American Road Builders
Association and the aeronautic branch.
Detailed studies of local conditions
and practices will be made by the local
committees. The findings. 1t is ex-
pected, will serve as an accurate guide
in the development of air terminals.
The committees will center their ac-
tivities on the problems peculiar to the
area which they represent These
problems, aeronautic authorities state,
vary with conditions of soil and
climate.
Accidents May BE Prevented.
Inadequate treatment of airports as
to drainage and surfacing, it is de-
clared. has caused accidents to planes
in landing and taking off from air
ports and landing fields, as well as in
terruptions to air transportation sched-
ules, and economic losses in airport
and landing field construction. Sup
plementing the activity of the local
committees, survey of 100 airports is
under way
1.-THE present situation" says
statement issued by the American
Engineering Council, clearly shows
that in order to prevent further waste
full expenditures and to safeguard life
and property, there is grave need for
the publication by an authoritative
agency of reports, containing general
information for the guidance of public
bodies interested in aviation.
'"rhese reports should clearly indi-
cate the diversity, complexity and i'm
portance of the technical problems at
tached to airport design, construction
and operation. The reports should
emphasize the fact that such problems
cannot be successfully and economi-
cally solved other than by the en-
ployment of men thoroughly trained
in such matters.
Best Minds of Day Called on.
"Air transportation is calling on the
best minds of the day for the estab-
lishlnent of a proper nucleus about
which a safe, sound and comprehen-
sive system may be finally established.
The system should include highly de-
velOped planes with properly trained
pilots and mechanics; airway routes
planned by persons well grounded in
the fundamentals of transportation and
operation; airport and airway facilities
well conceived as to location, layout,
and general design, and a program of
operation, maintenance and develop
ment that will insure the maximum
satisfactory return for the effort put
forth"
The American Engineering Council
has pledged service to the Nations
commercial aviation in the solution of
basic, technical, operating and safety
problems. AS a result of this action,
10000 technical men in all phases of
engineering have been enlisted as
consulting body for the promotion of
commercial flying.
The organization of local airport
committees now in progress is an
initial step in a continuing program of
cooperative research planned by the
council, which was organized 10 years
ago under the headship of Herbert
Hoover.
Chairmen Selected.
Among the chairmen of committees
chosen in various sections of the coun-
try are: Tampa, Fla, r. H. Cason;
Tallahassee, Fla, w. r. Gait; Green's
boro, N. c., Ray Warren; Cincinnati,
Edgar Dow Gilman; Cheyenne, Wyo.,
John A. Whiting; Dayton. Ohio, c. H.
Paul; Cedar Rapids. Iowa. Arthur
Huntington; Clinton. Iowa, Benton r.
Anderson; Iowa City, Allen Wallen;
Des Moines Monroe L. Patzig.
Morgantown, w. Va, Elmer W.
Prince; Birmingham, Ala, H. A. Haw-
kins; Atlanta, Ca E. w. O'Brien;
Grand Rapids, Mich, Otto S. Hess;
Detroit, Perry A. Fellows; Muskegon,
Mich, Levi Nelson; Minneapolis,
MINI, Theodore Wirth; Laredo, Tex,
F. C. Helms; Richmond. Va, w. F.
Woodson; Roanoke, Va, c. L. Watkins:
indianapolis Ind, H. o. Garman;
Charleston, S. c., j. E. Gibson.
st. Louis Mo, W. w. Horner; Chat
tanooga, Tenn, Warren r. King;
Harrisburg, Pa, w. A. Van Duzer;
Brookings. S. Oak, Ralph L. Patty;
Jefferson City, Mo, F. e. Ross; Great
Falls, Mont, C. P. Wells; Sacramento,
Calf, Edward Hyatt; Garden City,
N. Y, Archibald Black; New Bruins
wick N j., H. N. Lendall; Trenton,
N j., Joseph E. English Rochester,
N. Y, HaZen C. Pratt.