Evening star., 1936-03-01
UMPIS OVER WORST WINTER AVIATION NEWS
IN May, 1888. He became q director
OF the Soaring Society year ago and
continues as q director this year,

in May, 1888. He became q director
OF the Soaring Society q year ago and
continues as director this year.
William r. Enyart. secretary to the
Contest Committee Of the National
Aercnautic Association, was continued
IN office as director. Other officers
of the association are DR.. Karl o.
Lange and Earl r. Southee, vice presi-
dents, and Richard c. du Pont, treas
urer.
Elmira, N. Y, again was selected as
the site for the annual national soar
ing contest in 1886, the seventh annual
national contest. The dates will be
June 20-July S, inclusive. 1t is ex-
pected that a permanent administra-
tion building, q dormitory and glider
hangers will be constructed by Elmira
on Soaring Hill No. before the start
Of the meet.
Milton r. Stoughton, Long Island
City, N. Y, has been appointed chair
man Of committee to draw up pro-
posed revision of the Bureau of Air
Commerce airworthiness requirements
for gliders and soaring planes. The
committee has before 1t copies Of the
latest German and British require
ments and will work in close co-opera-
tion with officials of the Federal bu-
reau here.
The United States will drop from
fifth to sixth place in comparative
combat airplane strength among the
seven air powers of the world during
the present calendar year, according
to a survey made by the Joint Com
mittee on Air Defense.
On the basis of airplanes of purely
combat types on hand January /, the
United States was outranked in
strength by Great Britain, with 5000
planes; France, with 3,400; Russia.
5000; Italy, $500. This country at
that time was credited with 1900
combat airplanes, the figures Of the
committee show. Japan was close be-
hind with 1900 planes and Germany
was in seventh place with 1900.
Estimated combat airplane strengths
on January l, 1897, the committee
said, will be: Great Britain, $500;
France and Russia, 1000 each; Italy.
5000; Germany, $500; the United
States, 1900, and Japan, 2.1o0.
"These figures" the committee ex-
planned, "are according to a recent
factual survey and are believed to be
approximately correct. The totals are
combat airplane strength and do not
include training, transport. civil or pri-
vate aircraft"
The committee reported that there
are IS airplane factories in Great
Britain, IA of which are devoting their
entire production to air force orders.
France has 80 aircraft factories, op-
Grating on government subsidies to
place their facilities at the disposal
Of the government, it was stated.
Germany has II aircraft plants, one
Of which employs $4,000 men-more
than those employed by all the air.
plane factories in the United States
combined. it was reported. This fac
tory is said to be able to produce 1000
military airplanes per month. Russia
has IL airplane factories which can
turn out more than 1000 airplanes
per year. The airplane production
capacity OF Italian plants is held at
100 fighting planes per month. Japan
has 2 plants which are producing the
latest military airplane designs OBJ
tanned from Europe, the committee
said. United States aircraft factories
during the whole of last year pro-
duced only 459 military airplanes.
Expenditures for technical develop
ment by Great Britain, France, Italy
and Germany exceed those made by
the United States Government for
both technical development. and equip
ment combined" the committee said.
Great Britain plans to increase air
force appropriations three times dur
ing 1886. The appropriations already
made total 100000 for new air.
craft alone. Great Britain is increas-
ing air force squadrons from So to 1913
in the home defense areas alone.
During 1886 France Is spending
$100, 100000 on developing and pro-
curing new aircraft and equipment.
In Russia new bomber has been de-
veloped which cruises at 180 miles per
hour, has range of 1900 miles, and
can carry either 80 soldiers or tons
of bombs. Thirty-five air defense
bases have been established by Russia
along her European border. Japan has
under construction three new air
bases"