Evening star., 1933-08-20

questionably those airways affected by
the postal program.
The Army Air Corps has proved that
1t Is possible to motorize its observation
balloons so that they may be converted
temporarily into airships for transpor
tatton from one observation point to
another. The process is somewhat
similar to the clamping Of an outboard
motor to a rowboat, and the change
from balloon to airship can be made in
about 10 minutes
In the past 1t has been the practice
i to transport observation balloons short
distances from one observation post to
| another by towing them at the end Of
cable attached to a truck-a slow,
difficult and, at the front, a hazardous
business
Although lack of funds prevented
conducting of the tests with proper
equipment, 1t was found that even the
| nearly Worn-out balloons now available
can be flown as ordinary observation bal
looms and then hauled to the ground,
the cable disconnected and a small
power car attached, after which they
can be operated as airships.
The fact that craft of these char
acteristics Is entirely practical will
greatly improve the efficiency Of obser-
vation balloons in that the arrange
ment allows a flexibility of operations
that really permits two distinct appli-
cations OF the same craft, that Of sn
observation balloon and an airship,"
the Air Corps announced
| When used as an observation balloon.
1t was explained, the craft will be oper-
ated as In the past, except that it can
De noWn to rear zone and made fast
to small mooring mast rather than
moorlng close to the ground, as was
done during the World War The war
system required special arrangements
for each mooring.
The motorized balloon can be flown
on cable along the seacoast for OBJ
servation purposes or can be converted
into an airship for harbor patrol work,
under which conditions it would have
considerable advantage over surface
craft that might be used for the same
purpose" it was stated.
In view Of the satisfactory results
which have been obtained with the
experimental model, 1t was announced,
consideration now is being given to the
development Of service test model
with which more complete studies may
be made.
Model Contest Announced.
All Washington model airplane
builders not over 18 years Of age are
eligible to submit models In $500 cash
prize contest which has been an
nounced by the Stinson Aircraft Cor
porat1on. The contest closes October
Is. The models are to be non-flying
scale models Of the new Stinson Reliant
four passenger cabin monoplane
Information concerning the contest
may be obtained from the Stinson
Corporation at Wayne, Mich.
| TyIdOnS tui1 ko
director of the aeronautics department
OF the University of Detroit: George
Pfeil. aviation writer, and c. r. Irvine,
Stinson engineer.
F1edgiing Pilots Enroll.
Though July and August normally
are dull months for the flying schools,
four new student pilots have been en-
rolled at Mount Vernon Always, Alex
andria Airport, near Alexandria, Va,
and fifth has just soloed and Is on
his way toward pri7ets pilots license
Two OF the new students are Wash
lngtonians-John r. Horn, who works
IN local lunchroom. and A. r. Ricas
operator OF an aquaplane at the Airport
Pool. The other two are H. A. Tinkle,
Alexandria grocer, and Loudoun Camp
bell, jr., of Virginia Highlands.
The new solo pilot is Julian S. Rodri-
guez OF Riverdale, Md. who now is be-
ginning the accumulation of the neces-
sary so solo flying hours required by
the Department of Commerce under its
new regulations as a prerequisite for
licensing as a private pilot.
A Virginia pilot, F. c. McGalliard
OF DanWlle, who holds a Department of
Commerce private license, has just pur-
chased a sport plane at the Mount
Vernon field and has flown it back to
Danville for private use.
Bill Payne, Washington Airport in
structor, is on a combined business and
pleasure flight to the West Coast. He
Is returning to Washington by the
Southern route.