Evening star., 1932-07-31

the Atlantic to the Pacific ard ret
to brag about that engine for the
Fifty hours of running at MOI
deal to expect of any automobile
at top speed, however, is another
engine to stand such a pace.
Yet so hours of running at top speed
not merely at high speed, but at the
maximum speed the engine will turn
under its own power-iS required. not
once but twice, from every type OF
aviation submitted for approval by the
Aeronautics Branch Of the Department
Of Commerce
At a recent conference between off,
cials Of the aeronautics branch and air
craft engine manufacturers. the engine
requirements were materially changed.
The principal changes were in require
ments for the testing of aircraft en-
gines. It was decided to amend the
regulations to require that the manu-
facturer. before submitting his product
to the department. conduct 50-hour
test at full throttle and full speed of
an engine of the type to be submitted.
Previously a manufacturers test of only
25 hours duration at an engine speed
OF not less than 80 per cent of that for
which a rating was desired, with a
five-hour run at full throttle, was suf-
ficient
1t also was decided to amend the re-
quirements to provide that the engine
test conducted by the Department of
Commerce at its testing laboratory in
the Arlington Experimental Farm be
of so hours duration at full throttle
and full speed. The present regula-
tions require a 50-hour test, As hours
of which is run at 81 per cent Of the
rated speed. and at nine-tenths OF the
rated horsepower.
If two engines of the same type are
able to stand up under so hours OF run
ming at full throttle and the highest
speed Of which they are capable with
out failure of any kind and with no
greater wear than is permissible under
the Department of Commerce require
ments, 1t may be said with some degree
Of assurance that it is good engine.
Plant Rice by Plane.
For the third consecutive year, rice
has been planted from the air in water
flooded fields in Central California, ac-
cording to reports received here.
Former practice was to plant by hand
or machine directly on the ground and
then to flood the fields. BY scattering
the seed from the air into flooded fields,
the grain is saved from birds. Since
from 200 to 900 acres can be planted
from the air in single day, the en-
tire crop ripenS at the same time.
Airplanes a,so are being used by rice
growers TO shoe mud hens on the
flooded rice fields after the grain has
started to come up.
Most Valuable Baggage Flown.
What is said to be the most valuable
personal baggage ever carried by an
airplane passenger was $l,O00,O0O worth
of State Of Utah bonds, carried by
George Sutherland. secretary to Gov.
G. H. Dern of Utah, from Salt Lake City
to New York.
Sutherland stopped at Chicago so that
Gov. Dern, who was attending the
Democratic National Convention, could
sign the bonds, and then continued on
to New York with his valuable luggage,
which he turned over to New York
bankers.
Plane Takes Beating.
Photographic proof Of what is be-
heved to be the worst beating ever
taken by passenger transport plane,
short of complete destruction, has been
received here by the Department of
Commerce. The plane, which fought
through a terrific hailstorm, Is battered
and pounded from nose to tail, but was
able to complete its scheduled fight.
Seven passengers and two pilots were
aboard when the plane, a Ford tri-
motor Of Transcontinenta1 & Western
Air, ran into the storm en- route from
Albuquerque, N. Mex, to Kansas City.
The hai'stoneS were described as being
"as large as apples"
The leading edge of the wing was
beaten as with a giant club, being
broken completely through at cne point.
The top Of the wing and top and sides
of the fuselage were deeply dented.
Lenses of the landing lights were
smashed and every pane of safety glass
in the pilots compartment was cracked.
Passengers said that the noise of the
hail on the ship was deafening and said
they could well imagine they we're in
side boiler with compressed air ham,
merS banging away in unison on the
exterior. The photograph shows that
many of the dents in the metal were
more than 2 inches deep.
A peculiar feature Of the affair was
that, though the front surfaces of the
three propellers disclosed little damage,
the rear of the blades were scratched.
Pilots May Preserve Status.
Airplane pilots who hold transport
and limited commercial licenses, but
who. because of shortage of jobs, are
unable to put in the amount of flying
time required to maintain their licenses,
need not sacrifice their flying status,
according to officials Of the Aero
nautics Branch of the Department of
Commerce.
Transport and limited commercial
pilots who are unable to get the re-
quired amount of flying time each
month may send their licenses to the
Aeronautics Branch prior to expiration
and request that they be licensed as
private pilots. They can be issued pri-
vate licenses without the necessity of
undergoing examinations or flight tests
The private license remains in effect
for one year, as against six months for
the transport and limited commercial
types, and requires only 10 hours of
flying time in the year and only an
annual physical examination for re-
neWal
The transport pilot who reverts to
private status may not fly passengers
or goods for hire without reobtaining
the higher license. At any time, while
the private license is in effect, however,
the former transport or limited COM
mercial pilot may apply for reinstate-
ment in the higher grade previously
held and may be reinstated upon COM
pletion Of a physical examination and
flight test. No written examination
will be required in such a case
If a TRANSPORT or limited commercial