Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-21
MAKERS ASK
CODE AMENDMENTS
Manufacturers to Request rs
Changes in Government
Craft Requirements.

With a view to further increasing the
safety of American designed and manu-
featured aircraft, representatives of
commercial plane manufacturers will
seek more than Is amendments to the
Government airworthiness requirements
for aircraft at a meeting with heads
of the aeronautics branch, Department
of Commerce, here on July 81, it was
announced today.
The changes not only will seek to
bring about greater margins of safety,
but also to bring regulations governing
design and construction OF airplaneS
into conformity with engineering adj
vances during the past year.
Committee Prepares Amendments.
The proposed amendments have been
prepared by the Engineering Commit
tee of the airplane manufacturers Sec
ton of the Aeronautical Chamber Of
Commerce of America. They will be
discussed and final draft prepared for
presentation to Department of Com
merce officials at a general meeting of
the manufacturers group at the Carlton
Hotel July 20 and 80.
Ralph S. Damon, chairman of the
section, has invited all aircraft manu-
facturers and producers Of structural
airplane parts, such as seaplane floats,
to attend the two-day conference here
preceding the meeting with the Depart
ment Of Commerce officials.
Whatever the amendment finally
adopted by the Department of Com
merce, they will take effect Septem-
Der l. this year, for the first time, the
previous customs having been for such
changes to go into effect January /.
The change in effective date Of the
amendments has been made to allow
manufacturers an opportunity to bring
out new aircraft models February 1.
instead Of April /.
Ask Spin Requirements.
In many instances, it was learned
today, the manufacturers are seeking
more stringent requirements for air.
craft. Chief among the proposed
amendments Is one asking that light
airplanes, which have been produced
in large numbers during the past six
months, be required to exhibit the
same spinning characteristics demand
ed of heavier planes.
Larger planes, under the Department
of Commerce rules must recover from a
tail spin in less than a turn and a
half after making six complete revolu-
tons. The planes must do this with
controls In neutral and power shut off
Knowing that the new light airplanes
are to go into the hands of private
pilots, who are less skillful than COM
mercial pilots as a rule, the manu-
facturers are insisting that light planes
show equal ability to recover from the
deadly spin.
Other amendments deal with rate of
climb. suggesting that the minimum re-
quirenent be framed so as to require
planes to show an ability to clear an
obstacle more than 400 feet high one
minute after taking off from the
ground Still other amendments deal
with load factors, stipulate that air.
craft liquid batteries be fully inclosed
and properly drained and ventilated.
Fabric Specifications.
The manufacturers ask that the De-
partment of Commerce issue specif1ca-
lions for fabric to be used in covering
the wings and fuselages of light air.
planes. They also ask that safety belts
for pilots and passengers shall be capa-
BILE of withstanding a load Of 1000
pounds.
The Engineering Committee Of the
manufacturers section will hold a
meeting at the Carlton Hotel July %
to complete a study Of the argument IS
to be made by individual members on
the proposed amendments for preSen-
tation at the general conference.