Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-13

change over the heart of the Allegi
to aerial navigation mean more
less dangerous flying country.
Charles w. Carneal, veteran OF the
Allegheny crossing was at the controls
when the plane got off the great Cleve-
land airport, scene of the races, on a
beautiful late Summer afternoon. Miss
Maude TAFT was running the three-Kllo-
meter speed course in an effort to upset
the women's speed record held by Ruth
Nichols as the big tri-motor began 10
climb with its nose toward Akron.
At Akron, a matter of some % min
utes of flying into a quartering breeze,
the mammoth Goodyear airShip dock, In
which the u. S. S. Akron is being COM
pleted stood out of the fat green field
like an artificial version OF GeorglaS
Stone Mountain. Some day glider pilot
is going to use the currents OF air rising
up over that great structure ana rae
around overhead for hours. 1t is ru-
mored a couple of the Navy pilots In
training to fly planes from the Akron
have plans for the stunt in MIND ana
are only awaiting an opportunity to put
them into practice.
Light and Shadow.
Leaving Akron in mellow afternoon
sunlight Carneal headed croSSwind to-
ward Pittsburgh. The slanting rays OF
the late sun soon began to throw the
steadily increasing irregularities OF the
country below into holder and holder
relief. the valleys in deepening shadow.
the hills in ever ruddier light.
The landing on mountain-top Belts
Field, at Pittsburgh, was made in the
last rays OF the setting sun and 10 min
utes later the ship was of into the
Alleghenies, with a red and orange sky
behind and thickening haze ahead.
Down in the mountain valleys motorists
were burning their headlights. while on
the hills the sunset glow still was bright.
The forested slopes of Chestnut Ridge
were purpling. with almost entire dark
ness in the valley bottoms Automobile
headlights now could be seen for long
distances on the winding mountain
highways and the first aviation beacon
began Winking off to the left on the
very crest of a high wild mountain
ridge. A glance revealed the difncul-
ties which must have been overcome
hauling the construction material for
that light over miles of abrupt forested
mountain in which no roads or trails
were visible.
The lights of scattered houses now
began cleaning from down in the val
ley. Occasionally they were gathered
into little patch which marked a small
town The world below was becoming
vague and mysterious realm of in
distinct patches against velvet black
ness, in which the scattered PIN
points of light glittered.
Above, the Beaeons Shine.
Above all. on the mountainous, were
the friendly airwayS beaconS, red
lights flashing the code signal OF the
beacon station. course light showing
the way to the next beacon and the
great sweeping beam of the beacon
itself cutting through the gathering
darkness.
Two beacons farther on, some 30
miles over mountains and valleys, a
green light blinked an unceasing code
signal. 1t marked one Of the most
welcome sights a night pilot can see,
a lighted intermediate landing field.
At first only the green blinker, high
on a hilltop above the field, could be
seen. Then there was an obstruction
light. marking the top of spur of
the main ridge. Another red obstruc-
ton light and still another appeared,
marking the crest of the spur as it
dropped down to the left into the
valley. Soon red lights appeared on
the near side of the field, marking high
spots on the west side of the valley.
A moment later and the white bound
AIRY lights appeared, marking the out
line of the landing field, long and ir-
regular in shape.
In the center Of the narrow south
end cleaned two green lights. dupli-
Gated by two at the north end They
marked the path of the main runway.
So narrow was the valley no direct
east and west runway could be obtained
but there was a diagonal landing strip
marked by green light in one sharp
corner of the field and near the center
of the far side.
A Comforting Sight.
1t was a beautiful and comforting
sight in the blacknesS of the rugged
mountains. Though no trace of the
earth could be seen except the uniform
blacknesS, the lights told the pilot all
he needed 10 know to get down in
safety An Illuminated windSock gave
him his landing direction. The red
lights marked out the points OF danger
he must avoid. The white lights showed
him the size and shape of the landing
held. The green lights revealed the
exact location of the best approaches
and landing strips. Truly, haven in
the wilderness, available in case OF
mechanical trouble or sudden storm.
Beyond, the solemn march of the re-
Volving beaconS resumed in l0-mile
strides. Rows of lights, occasionally
blinking through tree leaves showed
where laboring automobiles were toll
scattered lights of the mountain homes
coagulated into a mass which spelled
"Hagerstown'' on any map. and soon
afterward Frederick, with its interme-
6iate field miles off to the northwest,
appeared.
The automobile lights on the high
way increased in number, and the
towns were more frequent. A steady
and growing glow appeared on the
horizon ahead, with two beacons shin
Jig steadfastly above. 1t was Washing
ton. and for proof there soon stood re-
Vealed the Capitol dome and the
Washington Monument, bathed in
white light
Carneal switched on his big wing
landing light, and a bursting fan of
light responded from the light outlined
stretch of Washington Hoover Airport
below One smooth, gliding circle, and
Carneal swept in for his landing. A
most enjoyable and interesting trip was
over. and moment later Carneal
slapped down the cover of his report
book on the record of another days
work.
The 1881 national air races filled no