Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-15
Aviation
BY JOSEPH s. EDGERToN.

Of it the yd largest x niri hi e saSss
lished as the American termi-
~ nus of the proposed interna-
tional transatlantic dirigible
line, according to preliminary studies
completed by the international zeppelin
transport Corporation, which includes
in its membership some Of the greatest
airship leaders in the world.
Prospects are bright for the estab-
jishment of this terminal near the
National Capital. After months of
study, during which several hundred
sites have been considered, the search
has narrowed down to only four sites,
one of which is at Hybla Valley, Just
south of Alexandria, Va The others
are near Richmond, Va, Baltimore and
Philadelphia.
Final selection of the site is to be
made within a month. 1t will be based
IN large part on a daily study OF
weather conditions over a period OF
Eight months. now being conducted at
each of the four sites.
Should the Hybla Valley site be
chosen the peaceful quiet of that fiat,
hill-girded eXpanse will give way to the
hustle of great aeronautical terminal,
equipped to handle the operation and
maintenance Of giant airshipS in Cruel
ling overseas service. The terminal,
according to the report of the engineers
in charge. must contain complete facili-
ties for mooring, handling and docking
the airships and complete equipment
for all major overhauling, repairing and
servicing.
The field required for the terminal
will have an area of more than one
square mile For the operation of two
ships on the line, which is the plan for
initial operation, one airShip dock Will
be required. The addition Of more air
ships will mcS;e necessary second
dock for use when more than one air
ship needs servicing, repairing or ever
hauling at one time.
Giant Dock Planned.
The type Of dock which will be used,
according to present plans, is the same
as that at Akron, Ohio, in which two
the Graf Zeppelin, are being con-
Structed for the United States Navy.
This dock is 1,146 feet long and ITS feet
in clear height, and is the largest
building in the world without interior
supports.
For use in landing and mooring the
ships on the field mobile stub moor
ing mast on rails will be used, similar
in design to that developed by the
navy lbl uSC az tilt dtdl nh ObdblBil,
Lskehurst, NJ j., home of the Los An
geles.
There also must be provided tail
mast. similar to the mobile bow mooring
mast for anchoring and mooring the
tail of the ship so that it may be held
and'moved in and ont of the dock with
its axis parallel with the axis CT the
dock. There also will be three trac-
tors. equipped with winches, to be used
in handling the yaw guys during the
mooring operation, for steadying Of
the ship during attachment of the tail
mast, and for general utility purposes
Of to one side of the field will be
located a second auxiliary mooring
point. Here there is to be a permanent
stub mast.
Much Equipment Needed.
The terminal also must include
Necessary equipment for the storage and
publication of helium, which must be
handled in great quantities for ships
of the size proposed. In the dock
along one side, will be located the shops,
which are to be equipped for the
overhaul and repair of engines, gas
cells, outer cover and structure of
the airsllip and for maintenance Of the
terminal. Offices and terminal rooms
for use of passengers and cargo are to
be located along one side of the dock
opposite the work shops.
In order to provide for constant COM
Rnunication with the airships there will
have to be provided a complete shore
radio station at the terminal. There
also must be complete meteorological
Office to collect and record weather
data for the fcrecasting of weather
conditions at the terminal in advance
of operations. There is at Hybla Valley
an automatic weather recording sta
ton. with instruments mounted on a
60-foot tower. Readings are taken
daily and forwarded to the New York
Offices of the airship corporation.
Complete facilities will be provided
for all necessary light. power and water
equipment. the engineers report.
Airship Ready Soon.
The Navy Department. is to receive
next May the first of the two giant
dirigibles ordered from the Goodyear
Zeppelin Corporation. according to a
report submitted to the House Appro-
priations Committee during the past