The Daily Alaska empire., 1935-10-30
PLANE PILOTS QUESTIONED ON
 FLYING TOPICS
Suggestions Are Requested Relative to Naviga-
 ton in Air es

'
 1 The transport pilots, of America have an opportunity to affirm or Ccny the importance of stratosphere living rezearch-the chief interest of tn, late Wiley Post. during the last flew months preceding his tragic death at Point Barrow.
 DO you believe stratosphere fly l inz Is worthy of research?' is one of the questions in a voluminous ques- ticnnaire which is being distributed by Rex Martin, Assistant Director of Air Commerce tAir Navigation), Bureau of Air Commerce, Depart mznt of Commerce, Washington, D. C., to all of the transport pilots in America.
 Qucstionnaire
 The quastionnaire, entitled Trans port Pilots Constructive Suggestions cn Aids to Air Navigation" is &C., -cmpanied by letter addressed ''To the Transport Pilots of America" !" which states: N3sisS .'''s
 You and 1000 others out of 126,- i. eco GOO pebble in the United States are the only ones who can make practical and intelligent use of gn l .aailities provided by the Bureau of | Air Commerce. These facilities have rlready cost the taxpayers $5o,0oO 900 to install and operate. From nov or they will cost the taxpayer nearly I $5.c09, 900 each year i'' F st
 ,a A Safety in Flying
 '"Yoa are and should be, party ts the determination of the wisest method of expending the money ap- rropriated for air navigation facili- ties. This amounts to 85 percent Of the total appropriation for the Bu- reau's activities If the money isn't important to you perhaps your life is. Tn other words, the Air Com nleroe dollar should be made to con- tribute directly and most effectively to your safety and the safety of those who fly.
 We have, of course, from time to time, tried to determine pilot opinion with respect to suitability to our aids oy personal contact, and we have in many instances requested the air line operators to ascertain the reaction Of their pilots to specific changes n certain facilities on the particu- lar routes which these pilots uss. Un- IT now no systematic attempt has sesn made to obtain the opinions and suggestions oi pilots generally with respect to the entire system of .asi.ities. ~
 Direct Appeal
 Tt seems wise to me, therefore, to appeal to you directly for help to deter mine the manner in which the money entrusted to my adrninistra- ton is spent to the end that im- proved and extended facilities may result Frequently for example, I hear rumors regarding pilot reactions to new aids or modifications of ex- isting aids, but such reactions sell dom become specific. It is to collect these reactions for analysis that I rave prepared the questions and ask your answers.
 T have great faith that pilots, giv- en the opportunity to express them tclyes concerning the things which they alone use, will respond with g.ncerc, intelligent. and useful sug- gesticns and criticisms. Your re- s,onse. Therefore. will indicate whether or not I am right" e
 The questionnaire is divided into eight sections which deal with Lights, "Intermedfate Fields, "Ra- dio,s We ther Information and Communications. Safety Develop nrsnt,4' Air Navigation Charts, :" Notices to Airmen Issued by Dis tiist Cffices," and General The qpe.tions are largely of a highly technical nature of interest only to transport pilots.
 1