Evening star., 1936-10-15
CHEAPER PLANES
CITED AS NEED
Aviation Authorities Declare
Growing Demand Opens
5 Field of Opportunity.

Growing demand from the American
public for types of airplanes in which
the average man can fiy safely and
cheaply for business and for pleasure
constitutes at one time one Of the out
standing problems and one OF the
greatest fields Of opportunity for the
aviation industry, it was agreed by
speakers representing various phases
Of aviation activity Tuesday night at
tle opening meeting this season OF the
Washington Section Of the Society OF.
Automotive Engineers, at the Cosmos
Club.
The society was joined by the Aero
nautical Chamber Of Commerce OF
America, the National Aeronautic As
sociation and the Ancient Order Of
Quiet Birdmen in forum discussion
Of the problems and future of private
flying
Lack of definite expression Of opin-
ion from prospective private and
soprtsmen pilots as to the type Of air.
plane they need was described by Col.
John H. Jouett, president Of the Fair
child Aviation Corp, Hagerstown, Md,
a. one Of the chief obstacles in the
way of a unified, quantity production
manufacturing program which would
result in reduction Of costs Of airplaneS
OF the private owner type. Had it not
been for the guidance Of the Bureau
Of Air Commerce, the National Ad-
visory Committee for Aeronautics and
the Bureau of Standards In crystaliz-
ing opinion as to necessary types, he
said, the development of private fly
ing In this country would not have de-
veloped as rapidly as It has.
Demand for Planes.
Eugene L. Vidal, director Of air COM
fnerce, Commerce Department, who
presided, said that there is a very
definite demand from American citi-
Eens for private airplanes and that
the problem always resolves itself into
that of COST" Within two months, he
said, his bureau has received 10000
letters from non-pilots who are hoping
to fly if the price of airplanes can be
brought within their reach.
Representing the Quiet Birdmen.
J. Earl Steinhauer analyzed purchase,
maintenance and operating costs to
show that present airplanes Of types
suitable for private operation are
within the economic reach only OF men
who have incomes of $4,000 a year or
more. He said there is great need Tor
an airplane within the $1,000 price
range, with q 75-horsepower engine,
which can be owned and operated by
the man with a salary of less than
$4,000.
John H. Geisse, chief of the de-
velopment section Of the Bureau OF
Air Commerce in charge Of the Fed
eral program Of developing airplanes
Of private-owner types, pointed out
that, while military and airline air.
craft development has been fostered
and supported by the Government and
simplified by necessity for certain
definite types Of aircraft, the manu-
facturers Of private types have had to
pioneer almost unaided in new flald
and that they must have Federal aid
Of the type the bureau Is attempting
to give If the average man is to be
able to fly.
Cites Foreign Subsidies.
"The Government, in the interest
Of economy and the national defense.
must GEEK to foster the training Of
aviators and this can best be done
in peace times in the field of private
flying" he said. 'The major powers.
except this country, all subsidize pri-
vate flying, in many cases up to SO
per cent of the cost of the airplane
and its maintenance"
Charles F. Horner, president OF the
National Aeronautic Association, rec
commended development of types OF
airplanes for the beginner in flying,
for the more experienced sportsman
pilot and for the business executive
as three main types and the cutting
down by the industry of the number
Of unnecessary types through "as close
cooperation as possible within the
limits Of that great barrier, the Sher-
man antitrust law"
Other speakers were Charles E.
Parker. vice president of the Aeronau-
tical Chamber of Commerce: Col
Harold z. Hartney. chief investigator
for the Senate Aircraft Committee;
James G. Ray, vice president Of the
Pitcairn Autogiro Co., who recently
landed a readable" autogiro in the
Commerce Department grounds; Ches-
ter H. Warrington, president OF the
Washington Air Derby Association
and the Aero Club Of Washington,
and Fred D. Fagg, national authority
on aeronautical law who now Is en-
gagged in revising the aeronautical
regulations of the Commerce Depart
hent.