Evening star., 1936-11-22

IllCblnS OpeTdClOIlS has Decu tllc CIlIcl
argument against the proposed
Gravelly Point site which lies just
across the Potomac from Boiling
Field. With increased operations and
problem has arisen in connection with
Boiling Field Washington Airport
operations.
The Air Corps plan, which also in
wolves the Anacostia Naval Air Sta
ton, represents a decided concession
to the interests of air transport de-
velopment on the part of the military
services. Operation sof the unified
control system will mean that the
Army and Navy will subject them
selves voluntarily to the dictates Of
civil aviation in large measure.
1t is probable that the necessity will
arise frequently for military aircraft
to stand by to clear the way for COM
mercial airliners operating on schedule
at Washington Airport.
The plan, it is understood, was origi-
mated voluntarily by the Army and
would put all Army and Navy pilots
flying locally under the same rigid con-
troll applied by the Bureau of Air Com
merce to air transport pilots.
Army and Navy pilots would be re-
quired to prepare and sumbit flight
plans. just as are transport pilots and
to take of and land only by signal
from the Boiling Field tower.
Through an interphone connection
between the Boiling and Washington
Airport control towers, control per-
sonnel at both airports would be in
formed of the location, plans and
movements Of every plane leaving or
approaching either field.
This information would be used in
regulating the movements of aircraft
to prevent possibility of collision.
Since all Army aircraft are not
equipped with two-way radio, traffic
lights, similar to those at Washington
Airport, also would be used to assist
the Army control tower personnel.
Operation of the unified control
system is expected to relieve danger
which long has existed and which is
growing with every increase in air
transport schedules and every STEP
ping up of airplane speeds. Establish
ment of the proposed system is an i'm
portant step in the right direction.
NAVAL aviation, as result of op-
Grafton of the Vinson-Trammel
act, Is suffering persistent growing
pains. A major portion of the newly
published annual report of the Navy
Bureau of Aeronautics is devoted to
necessity for expansion Of overhaul
and maintenance facilities, develop
ment of air stations, construction of
new tenders for patrol squadrons and
increases in personnel.
The numbers of Navy airplanes and
squadrons Of all types have been in
creased greatly during the past year,
overtaxing the capacity of the exist
ing aviation establishment. Plans now
are being made to operate mainte-
nance bases on 24-hour schedule. but
even this is not expected to care for
the situation.
1t is q cardinal principle of the
operating force plan that the aviation
forces afloat shall be maintained in a
condition of readiness for war. To
carry out this principle it is necessary
that routine overhaul and repair OF
aircraft shall not be delayed and that
airchaft must incorporate a high order
Of reliability, improved materials and
ease of maintenance to reduce time
lost in overhaul.
The Naval aircraft factory at Phil
adelphia has been expanded for the
manufacture Of aircraft and aircraft
engines. At the same time the Navy
has increased by IL per cent the num-
Der Of overhaul operations on aircraft
and by As per cent the number of en-
gine overhauls. Each reserve base has
been given machine equipment for the
major overhaul of aircraft and en-
gines, not only lessening the burden
on the regular plants. but also pro-
viding invaluable training for reserve
personnel
To meet the increasing demand for
aviation personnel, the Navy during
the past year has put into operation
an aviation cadet program. Selected
students are given 80 days of active
duty. including flight training and in
volving at least one solo fight, at local
reserve bases. Those who are sue
cessful are sent to Pensacola for a
year Of flight training. During the
past fiscal year 494 students were sent
to Pensacola and it is anticipated that
about 20 per cent of them will qualify
and ordered to aviation squadrons of
the fleet during the present fiscal year
Reserve activities also have been
speeded up.
The report shows that the number
of operating aircraft in the Navy was
increased from TIA at the end of the
1885 fiscal year to 958 at the end of
the past year. The Vinson- -Trammel
act, providing for building of the Navy
to treaty strength, authorizes aircraft
in numbers commensurate with the
strength of the Navy in surface YES
sells. In furtherance of this program,
it has been proposed to provide 1910
airplanes, by l940-42. This program
already Is affecting every phase of the
naval aviation establishment and will
continue to demand expansions to q
greater and greater degree each year
until the program Is completed.
THE Aero Club of Washington,
chapter Of the National Aeronau-
tic Association, will hold its first meet.
ing Of the season at 8 pm. tomorrow
In the national headquarters Of the
N. A. A., 1909 Massachusetts, avenue.
Chester H. Warrington, club president,
will preside.
r IEUT. coMDR. ANDREW c. Nc
FALL, formerly executive officer
at the Anacostia Naval Air Station,
soon viii receive the Herbert Schiff
Memorial Trophy. The trophy, award
ed annually to the naval station activ-