Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-26

predicted, air transport
NV planes will operate regard
less OF weather conditions,
paying no attention to fog.
rain or snow. They will be equipped
to meet virtually any emergency when
the weather may present.
This prophecy has been made by no
less an authority than Clarence M
Young. Assistant Secretary OF Com
merce for AeronauticS, World War
pilot who has been flying almost con-
tinuauSly since that time, and man
not given to idle fancies. 1t was re-
echoed during the convention OF the
National Aeronautic Association mere
during the past week by the Senate
only airplane pilot, Hiram Bingham
of Connecticut, president OF the asso-
citation.
1t is a thoroughly wholesome struC-
gle man is making to overcome the
handicap Of adverse flying weather.
Senator Bingham believes. In his fight
he not only Is advancing the cause OF
human progress, but he Is developing
mind and character.
It was only a few years ago that no
man thought Of flying unless the
weather conditions were practically per-
feet. The first aero meets were post
poned If there was enough wind to
fiutter q handkerchief Today, as
planes, engines and pilots improve,
weather becomes an increasingly large
factor in the proportion OF aviation ac-
cidentS as the other factors decrease.
Radio Guides Developed
1T is highly satisfactory" Senator
Bingham said, Ito realize the progress
which has been made by research en-
gineers in the development OF radio
apparatus for guiding planes through
the dark or through the fog. 1t seems
to be safe to predict that before long
all transport planes on regular sched-
ule runs will be guided by radio to the
very runway of the airport.
This. added to the progress which
has been made in the accuracy of the
instruments which permit blind flying
marks a sensational advance in the
possibilities Of aviation. 1t is true that
more experimentation needs to be done
to perfect these instruments and the
radio aids to aerial navigation. but 1t Is
safe to say that the difficulties Will be
overcome before very long"
So important do aviation leaders re-
gard the necessity for thorough train
ing Of pilots in flying through darkness
and fogs by instrument alone that tbs
Board OF Governors OF the National
Aeronautical Association approved a
resolution. later adopted by The aSSo-
citation, urging universal training OF
pilots in blind flying. Practically all OF
the larger transport lines now are Civ
ing special blind flight training to their
pilots, and both Army and Navy Air
Services require such practice regularly
by combat flyers.
The AeronauticS Branch of the De-
partment OF Commerce. through the
Bureau Of Standards, is conducting re-
search work in radio aids to all navi-
CATION. including the use Of airport
runway localizing beacons and radio
landing beams" The Army Air Corps
is at work on a similar program at Its
Materiel Division base, Wright Field.
Dayton. Ohio, and the Navy Bureau Of
Aeronautics also is working on means
Of directing landings through fog and
darkness. SO far, however, Jimmy"
Doolittle continues to hold the unique
honor of being the only pilot who has
taken off, flown course, returned and
landed by instruments alone. without
once seeing outside the cockpit OF his
airplane.
Speed Benefits Noted.
Though the Nays new high-Speed
development program has just gotten
under way. it has had stimulating ef-
feet on the entire naval flying service
and returns already are being realized.
in the opinion of Rear Admiral William
A, Modett, chief Of the Navy Bureau
of Aeronautics.
Preliminary studies for the speed
program have created new design
for patrol planes which will improve
their performance. the admiral said.
He voiced the opinion that money spent
for high-speed development Is money
we'll spent.
"It is" he said, IAN economical
method to insure that our service types
of aircraft are being maintained at the
maximum performance"
The bureau, Admiral Moffett contin-
ued. has consistently advocated a policy
of high-speed development, which. he
said. produces direct and immediate
competition, stimulates creative thought
and bears results directly applicable to
service aircraft.
The Nays new high-Speed program
was begun July /, under the impetus OF
an appropriation of &220,0 900 made
available for the purpose by Congress.
The appropriation was the result largely
of the resignation from the Navy Of
Lieut.. Afford j. williams. jr.. Navy rae
Ing plane SldI, dS u pIOtCoI against
orders which would have forced him to
abandon racing plane development.
The new appropriation makes possible
the beginning of q form OF activity
abandoned by the Navy six years ago,
when this country withdrew from
Schneider competition. AS result of
the lapse, Admiral Moffett declares, 1t
will take this country several years to
reach the racing plane status existing
in Europe.
Single Step Possible.
The appropriation for this year will
permit the Navy to contract only for
the first stage in the development of q
lightweight, high-powered engine. In
addition to this program, there is re-
quired extensive research in racing
plane design, construction and high
speed propellers.
preliminary studies are now being
undertaken to determine the proper line
of research for solving these complex
problems" said the admiral. When
funds are available they can then be
undertaken"
All the existing facilities Of the Gov-
eminent are to be called upon to aid in
the program. The National Advisory
Committee for Aeronautics will be asked
10 use us new Seaplane cnAnnel 10 de-
termine the most efficient form for the
floats and its wind tunnels to guide the
aerodynamic structure Of the plane. Its
high-speed wind tunnel may throw light
on the problems of propeller design.
The results from high speed develop
ment are directly applicable to service
aircraft" Moffett explained. Now the
service Is in need of an engine of about
1000 horsepower for patrol planes and
airships II the development program
develops. say an engine Of $500 horse
power, it will, with minor notifications,
make q most reliable 1000 horsepower
service engine"
Admiral Moffett urged q speeding up