Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1934-05-14
Fitsnal.rice Says American
Commercial Planes Are Best
Voices Opinion During
Visit Upon Commerce
Department Officials.
May Buy U. S. Ship for
Observation-Disclosures
liza Race.

v VISITING aviation officials of the
\ I Department of Commerce to-
" day on the eve of his return
' to Europe. Col. James c. FitZ-
maurice, hero of the first east
lowest nonstop transatlantic flight.
who may select an American plane
for the coming MacRobertson Eng
land-to-Australia race. voiced his
opinion that American commercial
airplanes are the best and fastest in
the world.
L. Vidal, director of aeronautics of the
Commerce Department, the question
of licensing of racing plane for the
SIS, 900 international classic. Although
the National Aeronautic Association
has interpreted regulations of the
British Royal Aero Club governing
the race as barring American planes
holding Department of Commerce
R-type or experimental licenses, Fitz-
maurice expressed confidence that
any American plane carrying a De-
partment of Commerce license Of any
type will be ruled eligible.
Discusses License Situation.
Col. Fitzmaurice also visited head
quarters of the National Aeronautic
Association today to discuss the Ii
cenSe situation. The association is
awaiting a formal report from James
G. Ray, pioneer American pilot, who
was sent to England some time ago to
discuss with Aero Club officials the
regulations which it was feared would
bar a number of the most famous
American pilots from the MacRobert-
son classic.
Col Fitzmaurice was the guest of
Michael MacWhite, Irish Free State
Minister, at a luncheon here today.
He will be the guest of former Sena-
tor Hiram Bingham at reception and
julep party at 1901 Massachusetts,
avenue from to $50 pm. today,
and will leave Immediately afterward
for New York to sail for England
tomorrow.
American commercial airplanes
undoubtedly are the fastest and in
many respects the best in the world
today" said Fitzmaurice. Your air.
cooled airplane engines are equal to
If not superior, to the finest in Eng
land and are unquestionably better
than any others"
Despite the repeated British VIC
tories in (the Schneider Trophy races
and their resulting world speed rec
ords, lately surpassed in Italy, Col
Fitzmaurice is of the opinion that
American speed progress is more
substantial" than that in any other
country, in view of the practical ap-
plication of speed to transport needs
High in Military Field.
In the military field Col. Fitz-
maurice also rated America as very
high, though he said the British have
achieved far greater speeds in their
| interceptor fighters than this country
has realized in any type of combat
airplane. The interceptor, however
he explained, is a highly specialized
type of airplane developed to head
off attacks across the narrow Eng
| lish Channel and would be of little
or no value to this country. He said
that the new British interceptor
fighters would far surpass those OF
today and would have marvellous
performance.
Col. Fitzmaurice is negotiating fol-
an American plane which will be
capable of a cruising speed of at
least 230 miles per hour, with a range
of $500 miles between refueling
Such a ship, he is confident. will beat
the best Europe has to offer. He may
make his selection before leaving the
United States Tuesday, he said, but
will make no announcement before
the closing Of entries for the race
June J..
It wouldn't dare" he explained
This is going to be the most cut