Evening star., 1932-05-15

pilots, it is estimated, leaving al
squadrons in truly precarious co
Training OF the Organized Reserve,
upon which the Army must depend for
its first line pilots in case Of an emer-
gency requiring the filling up Of the ex-
isting squadrons 20 war strength, Is
training In name only. So reduced are
the funds that the reserve pilots cam
not put in sufficient flying time to mt
them for duty. II their training is fur
ther curtailed the members of the first
group of reserve pilots are going to be
unfit for emergency flying without In
tensive training which would keep them
at training stations for two weeks or
more. Their value for emergency duty
will be destroyed.
The Bingham unorganized reserve
plan would produce no emergency pilots
who could go into the squadro1s on
days notice. It would, however, pro-
duce magnificent body Of men, physi-
cally and mentally capable and expert
enced In the rudin1ents of flying, who
could, with a short period Of intensive
training, be fitted for combats service.
Under the Bingham bill civilians able
to pass the prescribed military exarni-
nation would be eligible to receive
trsining as part of the unorganized
reserve. Flying instruction would be
carried on at municipal airports
throughout the country, with civilian
pilots for the most part as instructors
since the AIR Corps flying personnel is
at too low an ebb to carry on such
program.
The Secretary of War would be au-
thortzed and directed to provide for
construction and procurement of train
ing planes. spare parts, supplies and
equipment necessary 10 carry out the
program and to employ the mechanics
required to maintain the equipment.
Would Stimulate Activity.
The purpose of the BILL" Senator
Bingham explained, is to build I'D a
great unorganized reserve of civilians
by giving them flight training and at
the same time stimulate activity at
municipal airports and among civilian
Myers. Many exports not on any regu-
lar airline would be used, and there
are many civilian pilots and airplane
mechanics who would be glad TO earn
little extra money"
Under the plan advanced BY the
Connecticut Senator, the pilots Of the
unofganized Reserve would receive at
least 20 hours Of flight training each.
Iney would receive no compensation
from the United States while under
training.
An important point REGARDING this
program. 1t was pointed out. Is that
1t Is essentially civilian training and
for this reason it is probable that no
Army personnel limitation resulting
from a disarmament conference would
AFFECT a limitation on the proposed
training under the program.
1t Is now recognized" the National
Aeronautic Association pointed out in
announcing the plan of Senator Bing-
ham, that air force viii constitute
the striking force immediately after
an outbreak of hostilities. Casualties
viii be heavy and the necessity of re-
placement of personnel will exist from
the first engagement.
The mobilization problem of the
Air Corps Is radically different from
that Of any other branch Human
beings do not fly naturally; therefore
they must be taught to fly. With
proper equipment the average young
man can solo in about 10 hours and
in another 10 hours he can secure
fair technique in what may be called
primary flying In this course of 20
hours he would receive-aSide from the
technical instruction which enables
him to handle a plane In the aif-
q complete orientation of thought with
respect TO air operation, a rudirnentary
knowledge of aerodynamics In their
application to practical fight, a thor.
ough knowledge of the principles of
maintenance Of both engine and plane
and complete knowledge Of the rules
of the air.
War Expansion Simplifed.
IF in time of war the Air Corps
were in a position to obtain within q
few days the enrolment of young men
who had at least 20 hours flight train
ing, the war expansion problems of
the Air Corps would be greatly simpli-
fed"
Not only would the plan result in
reservoir Of suitable and partially
trained pilot personnel, 1t also would
result in a force of young men possess
ing the fundamentals of the knowledge
required for an airplane mechanic,
who also would be available for reserve
duty. This airplane mechanic in the
Army must be O specialist in the mech
anism OF the airplare, engine, rigging,
upkeep OF armament and guns, radio
telegraphy, Photographic apparatus,
oxygen equipment for high altitude
operation, and the instruments used In
navigation.
Until now" 1t was stated, there has
been no satisfactory training program
to parallel the hve-year procurement
program Of the Air Corps. and this Is
today, as in the past, vital necessity
in the scheme of national defense.
Heretofore all plans for the primary
training Of large body of young men
have been prohibitive IN cost, and for
this reason have never been seriously
considered as practical The plan re-
Gently introduced provides for that de-
fiiciency at very low cost"
Not only Is the Bingham plan in
tended to built up q potential combat
reserve for the Army Air Corps, but It
also Is intended to stimulate CONNER
cial aviation in all its branches. 1t
would aid airports which are founder
ing IN financial mire, give at least a
small amount Of employment to pilots
and mechanics now out Of work, and
would set idle or nearly idle aircraft
manufacturing plants at work turning
out training planes. thus preventing
collapse of commercial activity which
would in the end be ruinous to military