Evening star., 1934-05-06
PLANES GATHERED.
FOR LANGLEY DAY.
CONTESTS TODAY.
TWoscore Contestants Are
Expected to Participate
at College Park.
COMPETITION WILL LAST
FROM IL NOON TO Pm.
Celebration Launched Last Night
With Reception and Ball of
Derby Association.

>>S~S>s~e@SAA'
Privately airplanes of all
types, from sleek, fast little sports
planes to closed cabin family buSses,"
were assembled at historic College
Park Airport, College Park, Md, last
night for the largest aviation meet
in local air history, to be held today
by the Washington Air Derby Associa-
ton in celebration of Langley day.
The vanguard of the visitors be-
gan arriving yesterday morning and
more than tWoScore contestants are
expected to be on hand when the
flag drops at 1890 am. for the first
preliminary heat. There will be flying
almost continuously until nearly
o'clock this evening. Official starting
time is IL o'clock noon. when a gun
will be fired, the field flag hoisted and
band will play. From 1890 to IL
preliminary heats of four races are
to be flown, with final heats and pos
sibly some semi-finals left for their
proper place in the afternoon
program
The outstanding feature of the ball
was the presentation for the first time
of the new Washington Air Derby As
sociation Trophy, to be presented an
nually hereafter to the local pilot per-
forming the outstanding achievement
of the year in furthering aviation
progress.
The trophy was awarded to Chester
H. Warrington, president of the Derby
Association, by committee of judges
composed of Federal and civil aviation
leaders of the Capital, headed by DR..
H. c. Dickinson of the Bureau of
Standards. 1t was presented to Mr..
Warrington by William p MacCrack-
en-, jr.. former Assistant Secretary of
Commerce for Aeronautics.
Recognition of Services.
The trophy was awarded to Mr..
Warrington. it was stated in the cita-
ton. ''in recognition of his services to
aviation in and around the District of
Columbia through the creation of the
Washington Air Derby Association and
the promotion of flying activities un-
der its auspices"
Mr.. warrington, himself private
pilot and airplane owner. has been
active for number of years In pro-
noting aviation from the viewpoint
of the sportsman pilot. He was in
strumental in having brought to
Washington two years ago the start
of the Cord Transcontinental Trophy
Derby. out of which grew the present
Washington Air Derby Association,
composed Of Federal and civil aviation
leaders, representatives of the leading
civic and business organizations and
business and financial leaders of the
Capital. The association sponsors
series of monthly air meets for
sportsmen pilots, of which today's
Langley day celebration is the out
standing example.
The committee on awards gave hon.
orable mention to James Kinney. blind
landing expert and test pilot for the
Department of Commerce Aeronautics
Branch, 'in recognition of his out
standing accomplishment in feat of
blind flying in which he took off from
College Park Airport ard landed at
Newark Airport under conditions of
zero visibility for the entire flight"
50 Entries Received.
Chester H. harrington, president of
the derby group and chairman of the
Contest Committee, announced so
entries had been received at closing
time yesterday from pilots represent
ing points as far South as Raleigh,
N. c., and as far North as Erie, Pa.
Although the competitive flying
events will be confined to sportsmen
pilots, nationally known aviation
celebrities are to be on the field, as
race officials and spectators.
The Langley day celebration was
launched officially last night with a
reception and ball by the Washington
Air Derby Association at the Willard
Hotel.
IL Events on Program.
> Twelve races and other flying events
are on the program for today's meet.
They are intended to test the skill
of sportsmen pilots and private air.
plane owners and to provide the best
possible entertainment for spectators
and sport for contestants. The pur-
pose of the meet, and of all activities
of the Washington Air Derby Asso-
citation, is to promote the develop
ment of private and sports flying
Although the Weather Bureau fore
cast light occasional showers for to-
day, there is expected to be no wealth.
er interference with the program, ac-
cording to officials of the meet.
The general public is invited to at
tend the meet as guests of the WASH
ington Air Derby Association and the
airport management. There will be
no charge for admission to the airport
and ample free parking space for au-
will be provided within sight
of the flying events. Grandstand
seats have been constructed, tickets
for which may be purchased at the
airport. Spectators who wish to stand
or watch the flying from their cars
may do so without charge
The program includes three races
for sportsmen pilots, the races being
limited, respectively, to airplanes hav-
ing rated maximum flying speeds of
(Coptipuod ~, Cooopd DoooN