Evening star., 1934-04-15

the site at Big Meadows has been
made by Lieut.. Comdr. Ralph S.
Barnaby. U. S. N, first licensed
American glider pilot, and Lieut.. VIII
liam c. Lemly, U. S. NJ. c., also well
known as glider pilot. The Ma
tional Park Service, which has altered
plans for tourist camp on the Big
Meadows clearing and a hotel nearby,
SO as to preserve the area for glider
purposes, is cooperating with the
glider people In fostering the sport
in the Virginia park.
u, 8. Last TO Take Action.
The United States Government is
one Of the last Of the great world
governments to undertake active sup
port of soaring activities on the part
of its private citizens. Soviet Rus
STA claims $4,000 glider pilots and
hopes to have 100000 by the end Of
the second f1ve-year plan, the Soar
ing Society has been informed. Ger
many long has been a leader in Gid
ing activities. France has $50 glid-
ing clubs and a national gliding CEN
ter has been established at Banne
d'Ordnanche, with q permanent camp,
three houses, two hangers and scien-
tific laboratory. The japanese I'm
perial University has just completed
a new glider and is fostering the
sport for scientific purposes. Other
countries also are active.
In its present condition, according
to glider pilots, the Big Meadows take
of area permits safe launchings with
utility gliderS and sailplaneS and rea-
Sonably safe landings with the utility
types. For a distance of half a mile
from the launching position the ter
rain slopes away gradually to the
west; then It drops of precipitately.
A funnel effect Is obtained for west
winds because of the projection OF
knobs on the left and right. An
other area mile to the north Is
suitable for north winds, but re-
quires clearing. Another area about
$50 teet below the take-on area, IL
cleared, is expected to make a good
landing field. A mile east Of the site
is an area suitable for an airport.
Disadvantages Are Few.
Potentially" the Soaring Society
reported. 1.-The Big Meadows location
offers almost all that might be de-
sired in the way Of q gliding and
soaring site. Its disadvantages are
few. While 1t would seldom, II ever,
be necessary to land in the valley, il
such were to be done. a 80 to 40 mile
trip would follow. The location will
ha ly 1.rta arlr iv
opened next Fall: it Is only 100 miles
from Washington and the roads are
excellent"
Discussing the advantages of the
Blue Ridge soaring country at Big
Meadows and Waynesboro, the Soar
ing Society has reported: Under
exceptional conditions. a distance
flight of ITO to 200 miles is feasible.
The distance and return record can
be pushed up to over 800 miles for
the round trip. The tremendous
cumulus cloud formations observed
hold out the prospect Of flights to
attitudes up to 10000 feet. With
winds blowing steadily for u and
more hours at a time, those who
choose can surpass the now consider
aDle endurance records.
The opinion has been expressed
that, as a result Of the discovery of
the Blue Ridge soaring country and
the proof of its suitability given by
the dupont flight at the close of the
season last year, this year will
mark the beginning Of 3 new era in
American distance soaring.
"a Entries For Hunt.
Twenty-four entries have been re-
ceived by the Washington Air Derby
Association for the aerial treasure
hunt to be held today as the second
Of this seasons series Of monthly
local flying events. The hunt will
start from Beacon Field, on the
Washington Richmond Highway Just
south Of Alexandria, Va, at 1:30
O'Clock this afternoon.
Clues will take the competing pilots
to o number Of airports and flying
fields in the vicinity Of Washington,
and the hunt will finish at Beacon
Field. Free parking space will be
available there for spectators and
friends Of the contestants.
To obviate the danger OF race
horse" starts on the part Of the COM
peting pilots, rules for the hunt differ
from the rules for the hunt held by
the association last year. Under the
rules for today's event each pilot must
signal his understanding Of the nrst