Evening star., 1934-07-29

ne CUUIGTtuCe anu pTOpOoeu
changes, however, 60 beyond mere
changes due TO obsolescence of the
regulations. Operation of aids to air
navigation on the Federal airways
and possible improvement of these
will take up a major part of the pro-
gram. Eugene L. Vidal, director of
air commerce, hopes to receive from
the industry valuable criticism and
suggestions with respect to standard
ization of airway construction, radio
intermediate landing fields and beacon
lights now operated by the Commerce
Department.
Asks for Suggestions.
He also expects to call upon the air
transport operators for suggestions as
to the advisability Of introducing such
new devices as the radio compass
visual reception of radio range bea-
con signals, blind landing facilities
and radio typewriters for the trans
mission of weather maps, as well as
weather reports and emergency mes
sages.
The Commerce Department ex-
ton, efforts will be made to fit the
requirements to the type of operations
carried out. Not only win the airline
regulations be brought up to date,
but they also will be localized, Vidal
explained
IAN airline operating over the
Rocky Mountains" he pointed out,
has problems entirely different from
those of a line flying over the fiat
farm land OF the Middle West, and
still another procedure is called for.
along the Atlantic Coast. Different
requirements will be set up for opera
tions in various parts of the country"
Types of equipment suitable for the
various forms of operations and the
qualifications of personnel for opera
ton in different localities will be dis
cussed at the Forthcoming confer
ence The use of single or multi-en-
gined airplanes and the types of oper-
alton for which each is suited will be
considered, as will also the perform
ance expected Of multi-engined
aircraft in flight in case of engine
failure.
Provides for Regulation.
The recently enacted airmail law
directs the Secretary of Commerce to
prescribe the maximum flying hours
of pilots on airmail lines and also to
approve agreements between airmal
operating companies and their pilots
and mechanics for retirement benefits
These subjects are to be discussed
thoroughly at the coming conference.
The use of radio and instruments
is increasingly important in the trans
portation of passengers by air" 1t was
explained by Vidal in arranging for
the coming conference. and much
thought will be given to this develop
ment in connection with studies per-
tanning to revision in minimum altl-
tudes of flight and visibility require
mentSt Also. the latitude that should
be permitted the airline company and
the individual pilot in selecting al
ternate routes. when the regular route
cannot be flown because Of adverse
weather, will be determined"
Both in the provision of aids to air
navigation and in regulation. the aim
of the Bureau of Air Commerce is to
increase further the safety Of sched-
uled air transportation, it was ex-
planned.
In his invitation to the air trans
port companies, Vidal suggested that
each company appoint at least two
representatives. one of them an officer
familiar with the company'S problems,
and the other pilot, preferably the
chief pilot
In Effect for Four Years.
The existing airline regulations of
the Commerce Department have been
in effect since 1890. They were based
upon a clause in the air commerce act
Of 1926 empowering the Secretary of
Commerce to provide for the issuance
of such Certificates" as ne deems
necessary. On the strength of this
wording, regulations were promulgated
requiring airlines to obtain from the
Department of Commerce certificates
Of authority TO operate.
The new amendment TO the act
specifically directs the Secretary Of
Commerce TO provide for the exami-
nation and rating of all airltnes en-
gagged in interstate or foreign air COM
merce and establish minimum safety
standards for the operation thereof 4"
This" Vidal explained, removes
any doubt that may have existed
heretofore either in the department
or among the airlines, as to our iuris-
diction or extent OF authority in eStsb-
fishing minimum safety standards for
interstate or foreign air commerce.
Our regulatory activities are i'm
tied entirely 10 the safety aspects Of
airline operation by a provision in
the amendment that the Secretary Of
Commerce shall not deny any ap-
plication for an airline certificate or
revoke or suspend any airline cer-
tificate, except for failure OF the air
line to comply with safety standards
applicable to the operation thereof
prescribed by the Secretary"
Standards Set Forth.
The airline regulations OF the de-
partment now set forth standards for