Evening star., 1934-08-12
AIRLINE SAFETY
TOBE ENFORCED
U. S. Calls Conference to In.
crease Safeguards Un-
der New Authority.

Notice OF the intention Of the
Federal Government to "crack down"
on the Nations airlines in an effort
to force compliance with certain
safety requirements, which in the
past have not been rigidly enforced
for lack OF authority. is expected to
be delivered to representatives OF the
country's airlines at a conference
called by the Bureau of Air Com
merce at the Commerce Department
beginning Wednesday morning.
Under the terms of an amendment
to the Air Commerce act Of 1925, the
Bureau Of Air Commerce Is given spe-
ctfic powers to deal with the airlines
in all matters of safety. The amend
ment was enacted at the past ses-
sion of Congress.
The airline regulations, especially
those dealing with public safety, not
only will be brought up to date, but
will be localized as well, Il has been
announced. This means that airlines
operating over mountains or other
dangerous terrain must make pro-
visions for safety not required of lines
operating over fiat open country.
Other Changes Slated.
Other changes in regulations will be
made to cover the rapid technical
advances in airline operation since
the present regulations first were pro-
mulgated several years ago. All
changes, it was pointed out, win be
framed under the authority granted
this year by Congress.
There Is more than a hint that, II
necessary. the Commerce Department
will crack down" in the future on
lines which take chances with pas
sengers and property.
Operation of aids to air navigation
on the Federal airways system and
possible improvements TO this sys-
tenn also will be brought up for con-
sideration. 1t was announced by Eu-
gene L. Vidal, director of Air Com
merce.
I'VE hope" Vidal said, ito receive
valuable criticism and suggestions
from the operators with respect 70
Standardization Of airway construc-
ton: radio, intermediate landing
fields and beacon lights, as now
operated by the Commerce Depart
ment and also with respect to the
advisability of introducing such new
devices as the radio compass, visual
reception of radio range beacon sig
mails, blind landing facilities and radio
typewriters for the transmission OF
weather maps, weather reports and
emergency messages"
viii Consider Personnel.
Types OF equipment suitable for air.
line operation with and without pas
sengers under various conditions and
types Of terrain will be taken up for
consideration. Qualifications Of pilots
and other airline personnel viii be
discussed.
The use Of single or multi-engined
airplanes and the types Of operation
for which each is suited will be con-
sidered. as will the performance which
should be expected OF q multi-engined
aircraft In flight in case of engine
trouble.
Under the terms of the airmail
act of 1884" Vidal said, "the Secre-
tary Of Commerce is authorized and
directed TO prescribe the maximum
flying hours Of pilots on airniaii lines
and also to approve agreements be-
tween airmail operating companies
and their pilots and mechanics for
retirement benefits. Provision viii be
made on the agenda of the conference
for these subjects to be thoroughly
discussed"
Radio Important Factor.
The use Of radio and instruments is
increasingly important In the trans
portation of passengers by air, Vidal
pointed out, and serious consideration
is to be given to these developments
in connection with studies with O view
to revision of regulations governing
minimum attitudes OF flight and visi-
bility requirements.
The bureau Is prepared 10 deal with
the problem Of the latitude to be per-
mitted the airline company and the
individual pilot in selecting alternate
routes when the regular route cannot
be flown because of bad weather.
Both in the provision of aids to air
navigation and In regulation" Vidal
explained, "the departments aim is
to increase further the safety of
scheduled air transportation
The bureau has asked each air
transport line to appoint at least two
representatives to attend Wednes-
days conference, including an officer
familiar with the company's prob
lens and pilot, preferably the chief
pilot.