Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-12


poration was q strong contender Tor the
award in the minds of committee MEM
beers because of its daring and success
in establishing hourly air passenger
service between New YORK and the Capt.
tai. in competition with excellent rail-
road service and with no prospect of
revenues except from passenger traftic
The excellent record made by this line
during the early months OF its existence
| has been regarded as the beginning of a
new chapter in air transportation.
The Collier Trophy was donated by
| the late Robert J. Collier and is justly
one of the most prizcd CT aviation tro-
| phieS in this country, as 1t Is awarded
| on the basis of solid merit, into which
no element of luck or mere flashy per-
| Il rmance can enter. 1t is a recognition
of pure worth in the eyes OF aviation
| people everywhere.
The trophy was first awarded to
Glenn H. Curtiss in 1911 for his de-
velopment and demonstration Ct the
! hydro-aeroplane. Oryille Wright won
| the medal in 1918 for the development
! and demonstration of his aut-matic
stabiliZer, Awards for the last three
years were: 1927, Charles L. Lawrance,
/ for development of the radial air-cooled
aircraft engine; 1928. aeroneutics
/ branch, Department of Commerce, Tor
! development of airways and air naviga-
! ton facilities, and 1929 National
/ Advisory Committee for AeronauticS, for
| development of cowling for rad1al air
cooled engines.
Does the Impossible.
| In announcing the award, Senator
! Hiram Bingham of Connecticut, presi-
| dent of the National Aeronautic Asso-
citation, which has custody OF the trophy,
| said
The autogiro enables flying perform
ance hitherto impossible. 1t can take
off at low speed after a very short run
and Immediately assume a steep climb
ing angle. 1t can fly well over 100
miles per hour or as slowly as 25 miles
per hour. 1t can be brought momen-
tarily to a standstill and hover. It can
bank and turn slowly without fear OF
loss Of forward speed. 1t can glide or
descend vertically with dead engine
at a speed less than that of a man de-
Scending in a parachute. 1t cannot fall
into a spin. AS a result of its inherent
safety, little operating skill is required"
During the past week the PCA-2
model autogiro was granted an APP
proved type certificate by the aero
nautics branch of the Department OF
Commerce. The tests were conducted
by Gilbert Budwig, director of aero
nautic regulation for the department.
The approved type certificate is the
highest Endorsement issued by the De-
partment of Commerce to commercial
aircraft and must be obtained before
the craft can be used for air transport
operation of any type. Autogircs in
the past have been flown under either
experimental or restricted licenses
granted to craft of experimental or
special nature.
Sensible Recommendations.
When the Chamber Of Commerce Of
the United States meets in Atlantic
City late this month it will be called
upon to act upon a number of thor
oughly sensible recommendations from
its Committee on Aeronautics. The bulk
CT the recommendations are not new,
but they possess solid worth for the
most part and If carried out would do
much to better American aeronautics.
Uniform aeronautical legislation is
urged by the committee, as it has been
urged by the aeronautics branch of the
Department of Commerce and other
aeronautical bodies. The committee rec
ommends that Federal licenses be re-
quired for all aircraft and airmen and
that States not having such require
mentS enact laws in accordance with
this suggestion.
Airport enabling legislation which
would permit municipalities counties
or other political subdivisions, sepa-
rately or jointly, to acquire airport sites
and develop. operate and police airports
: Is recommended for all States.
Uniformity Of air traffic rules, in
conformity with those of the Federal
Government, is most strongly urged, to-
gether with strict enforcement Of such
rules by State, county and municipal
authorities. The committee also recon-
mends that all airports, public and pri-
Yate, adopt uniform field rules in line
with those of the Department of Com
MERGE
The committee commendS the work
of the Aeronautic Branch of the De-
| partment Of Commerce in establishment
of airways and air navigational aids and
urges continuation and increase of the
adopted program. Abolition of unnec-
eSsary or confusing private lights is in
sisted upon. Adequate and uniform air
marking Of all cities and towns and
Federal and State highways is recon-
mended.
The committee urges the desirability
Of airport coming regulations to prevent
erection OF structures adjoining the air.
port that will menace those using the
airport
The committee favors continued de-
velopment of domestic and foreign air
transport by private American capital
| under the provisions of the McNary-
Watres bill looking TO the extension Of
airman service, especially TO cities now
of the regular routes.
In the lighter than-air field, the COM
mittee requests enactment Of Federal
legislation 70 encourage private develop
| ment and to permit expectation Of he
| lium gas 50 far as may be consistent
with a policy adequately protecting
! American commerce, industry and ma
| tional defense
! Creation of aerial star" mail routes
/ is advocated by the committee to eX-
pedite mail service by air under condi-
lions not justifying establishment of
/ regular airmail routes.
To facilitate aerial commerce between
American and foreign ports the commit
/ tee urges provision of necessary facili-
ties and personnel to carry out provi-
sions Of the Pan-American Commercial
Aviation Convention Of 1923 or other
special international agreements. to-
I gether with simplification of customs
| regulations and other rules.
Exemption of aircraft fuel from gaso-
line taxes, which mainly are applied to
road improvement, is asked to relieve
the industry of an unjust application Of
special taxation
Formation of aviation committees by
| local chambers Of commerce is asked to
familiartze the public, particularly the
business men, with existing aeronautic
facilities and to promote sound local
aviation development.
The committee condemns any flying
meet based upon spectacular stunning
"or upon any appeal other than that
designed TO give the public correct ap-
probation Of the aviation industry" and
urges that no public flying meet be per-
mitted except with approval and super
| vision of State and local aviation COM
mittees, the Department Of Commerce
and the aviation industry.