Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-09
Member Of the Associated Press.
Speed in the Air.

Mans, crack racing pilot Of the Navy,
to continue his experiments on high
speed craft with the object of bringing
back to America the worlds record in
the air, viii be welcomed by all those
IN aviation circles who feel that the
United States is falling lanentably be-
hind in development Of fast aircraft.
williams, who occupies a unique place
IN the flying world because of his almost
single handed fight for the past four
years to enter o ship in the classic
Schneider Cup races, was removed
wednesday from his specialized work
and ordered to sea duty. His resigna-
ton Immediately followed.
Despite his failure to enter the last
two Schneider races with ships financed
by private capital, the Navy pilot has
unquestionably added much to the
slender store Of knowledge possessed by
man In regard to high-speed planes. He
Is at present the holder Of the American
record Of ass miles per hour, a record
established seven years ago, but the
extent to which the United States has
fallen behind other nations can readily
be realised with glance ct the new
world mark Of England, Of 357 miles
Der hour. In fact, williams Is so
ashamed Of the slow speed Of Ameri-
can craft that he facetiously cautioned
Kaye Don, the English automobile
racer who Is soon to attempt trials at
Daytona Beach, not to 60 faster in his
car than williams did nearly q decade
ago in the fastest plane yet developed
In America.
The Navy pilots resignation follows
closely upon that Of Lieut.. James Doo-
little Of the Army, who occupied almost
the same prominence in that branch Of
the service as does williams IN the
Navy. Aside from every other phase Of
the question, with the United States
tagging behind both England and Italy
IN the development Of fast military
craft, the loss Of two such outstanding
pilots Is bound to be felt. Assuredly it
Is much to be deplored that the two
services could not offer sufficient attrac-
tion to hold men who have contributed
irnmeasurably to the science Of nying.
Williams. separation from the, Navy
will mean much to civil aviation. The
continuance Of his research work is
likely 70 have Q far-reaching effect on
the design Of fast airplanes for COM
mercial flying.
Speed and safety are the two main
factors Of successful commercial avia.
ton and the time 10 not far distant
when the flying public viii demand
more Of both, particularly the former.
The only advantage Of airplane travel.
except for those who are getting
thrill out of the first few times aloft or
those who have an inordinate love Of
the sensation Of flying, ID the amount
Of time saved. While the statement
may be challenged by some air-minded
persons, It would seem quite safe to
say that flying over long distances is
just a. deadly in It's monotony as train
travel, and In some cases far more un-
pleasant. due to bunny" air conditions.
With landing fields situated any
where from fifteen minutes to an hour
from point Of both departure and des-
tination, the amount Of time necessary
to Be saved by an airplane to render
this method Of transportation attrac-
tive to the public can readily be seen.
It 10 no uncommon experience of an
air traveller TO md that, while the &C.
tual flying time necessary to reach his
destination may be only two hours, the
trip will actually take in the neighbour
hood Of four hours, due to the distant
location Of the majority of airports.
Consequently, it is up to the CONNER
cial plane to be capable Of making up
some Of the time that Is inevitably lost
IN the transporting Of passengers to
landing fields, and to do this It will
become increasingly necessary to de-
velop high speed in the air. That COM
nercial aviation Is not unmindful Of
this fact was shown by the ease with
which . civilian plane won from the
fastest ships that the services could
muster in the national air races in
Cleveland last Fall. But continued
work Is necessary, and williams self
imposed task Of studying the intricate
question Of speed may result In putting
America in the lead at least as far as
commercial flying is concerned.