Evening star., 1933-05-28

lie result O1 LIE proposal al
committees is to place the burden
of only the highest ranks in the f
Flying officers of the Government
already have suffered more heavily
through pay reductions than their
fellow officers on non-fiight status.
Not only have they taken the common
reduction in base pay but also cor
responding reduction in flight pay.
AS originally granted in 1914 the
flight pay of pilots amounted to so per
cent of their regular pay and allow
ances, and of observers and other fly
ing officers other than pilots amounted
to 35 per cent of their pay and allow
ances. This extra pay not only is
given as just reward for extra
hazardous service. but also on the basis.
recognized in all lines of endeavor, that
experts who must have extra training
are entitled to greater compensation for
their services. In 1922 flight pay for
all flyers was fixed at so per cent of
base pay, allowances being excluded.
That combat flying in peace or war
is more hazardous than any other form
of military service and that extra re-
ward for such extra hazardous service
is only simple justice is the motive be-
hind granting of flight pay. The House
al a. jung ASNNcoAIy Ava
retaining higher standards of flight
pay pointed out that in the military
flying service the flyers death rate was
more than SO times that Of his brother
officer on non-fying duty. The hazard
OF military flying, even in peace times,
is due to the necessity for close forma-
ton work, combat training and other
types of activity not found in civil
flying.
The Naval Committee dealt in its
report with naval aviation activities,
though it was pointed out that precisely
the same conditions applied to Army
and Marine aviation. The hazard OF
Coast Guard aviation Is as great as
work because of the necessity of emer-
gency operations in weather which
ordinarily precludes regular military
training.
The committee" it was reported,
believes that the aeronautical organi-
Zation Is most important feature of
the naval establishment. Nothing
should be done which might harm or
reduce the effectiveness of this branch
of the service. It was testified repeat
edly that flight pay is strong incentive
to aviators to accept the hazards of
that duty. If the present rates of flight
pay should be curtailed, it seems very
possible that some, perhaps a good
many, naval aviators will request can
collation. of their flight orders and that
they be detailed to other duties. If this
should occur it would involve harm to
the service which would more than off,
set the small savings which could be
accomplished by any of the proposals
submitted"
Amateur Air Cruises Planned.
A series of air cruises for sportsmen
pilots flying professional aircraft
is being planned by the Aeronautical
Chamber of Commerce through its sec
tions on airports and aerial service.
The cruises are expected eventually
to include large portion of the 1000
airports adapted to aviation events of
this character in various parts OF the
country. The number of private pilots,
virtually all of whom would be eligible
for such cruises, has increased from
3,528 in 1929 to more than 10000 to-
chamber in announcing its plan.
I'VE have found" it was stated by
Oliver L. Parks, who will be in general
charge of the cruise plans, that solo
cross country flying or flying in the
vicinity of ones home airport is not
enough to satisfy the average pilot
owner. Properly conducted group ac-
tivity is something the owners have
longed for and now can get
The plan of the organization IS to
provide the means for congenial groups
of private airplane owners and pilots
to band together for pleasant cruise
over an interesting course 10 oestlna,
tion where the incentive Of special
Hyipo r,rnuroro hoe hapn prpnarpH
The National Capital has been the
stopping point for pilots on two large
amateur air cruises during the past
two years Both cruises were arranged
by the United States Amateur Air
Pilots Association and had as their
goal the All-American Air Races In
Miami. Both cruises were flown in
January and more than a score of
planes stopped in the Capital on each
occasion.
Aircraft Conference Called.
One of the early duties of the incom-
ing air transport officials of the De-
partment of Commerce will be the hold
ing of conference with manufacturers
of aircraft for the purpose of discussing
proposed changes in the airworthiness
requirements Of the Air Commerce reg
Clations for aircraft.
The conference has been called for
July 81 by Clarence M. Young, As
sistant Secretary of Commerce for
Aeronautics, who has formally requested
acceptance of his resignation from the
post not later than June Is. 1t is an
ticipated that the Roosevelt admins
tration will have taken charge of the
air transport system of the Department
of Commerce prior to the Midsummer
meeting Whether the proposed trans
portation reorganization of the depart
ment. which is to affect the Aeronautics
branch, will be completed by that time
or whether the reorganization will seri-
ously affect the plans for the proposed
conference have not been indicated,
but it is assumed that the conference
will be held in accordance with the call
issued by Col. Coung.
Proposed Changes in the airworthi- |
ness requirements for aircraft are being |
drafted with view to taking full ad-
vantage of aerodynamic information |
which Is now available and also to
make the requirements conform more |
closely to the characteristics of indi- |
vidual airplanes," Col. Young explained. |
Many purely arbitrary specifications
are being eliminated and the regula- !
tions are to be presented in such a
manner that they will automatically