Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-25

| general, grouped unoer reolo, ngnt ane
sound.
This committee considers it very de-
sirable that those interested work
toward the goal OF developing methods
and devices by which Q pilot might be
relieved as far as possible Of the work
Of navigating an airplane.
IAN automatic steering device which
has already been developed relieves the
pilot Of material amount Of the strain
under which he ordinarily labors In
navigating and operating an airplane.
AS this and similar mechanismS are
perfected more and more, they will add
to the economy of operation by inSuring
that the airplane is navigated more ex-
actly on a straight line. They will save
fuel and also wear and tear on the
engine and plane and in addition will
greatly conserve the energy Of the
pilot"
Radio Progress Outlined.
The committee in its report cites the
progress which has been made during
the past year in 10 specific items of ra-
dio research as applied to aerial navi-
cation, as follows:
al. Radio receiving apparatus for the
medium frequencies and two-way ra-
do communication apparatus for the
medium high frequencies have been
brought to a high degree of efficiency
and have stood the test of extensive use
for more than year on airplanes in
flight.
20. Information has accumulated on
the usefulness of various frequencies
for different times and conditions; the
data now available gives q partial an
Swer to the choice of frequencies in
practice, and point the way to q COM
prehensive investigation of this subject.
80. Automatic volume control has
been developed, relieving the pilot of
much of the attention which he was
hitherto required to give to the receiv-
ing apparatus.
-. A system Of simultaneous radio
telephony and visual radio-beacon serv-
ice has been worked out. In this sys-
tenn single transmitter will give these
two services on q single frequency. so
that the pilot does not have to inter-
rupt the reception Of voice messages to
observe his radio course indicator or
vice versa.
IS. Direction finders have been devel-
oped for use aboard aircraft with de-
vices giving visual indication Of direc-
ton.
g. experimentation has been ad-
vanced on radio-echo and sonic types Of
altimeters, which give promise OF en-
abling q pilot at any time to observe
accurately his distance from ground.
~. system of radio aids for blind
landing has been worked out, by which
landings can be made at a suitably
equipped landing field when the ground
Is wholly invisible.
81. Engine ignition shielding equip
mentS have become commercially avail
able and have given good results on
many airplaneS.
20. Progress has been made in the
development and use of engine driven
generators for power supply for radio
equipment.
10. An entirely new field of research
and use has been opened up by expert
ments on radio communication at fire.
quencieS in the neighborhood of SO. 900
kilocycleS. These frequencies are salts
factory for short-distance communica-
ton between airplanes, and have the
advantages Of very simple and light
weight apparatus and very little inter-
ference"
Randolph Field Occupied.
Occupation Of Randolph Field, the
SIS 100000 Army Air Corps training
center near San Antonio, Tex. the
West Point of the Air" and the worlds
first strictly aviation city. has been be-
gun, and the last outfit viii be installed
In its new home there by February Is
next.
Not only will Randolph Field produce
pilots for the Army Air Corps; 1t also