Evening star., 1936-05-24

toons designed not only for regular
water operations but also for emer-
gency landings on snow, ice. mud or
heavy sand. The airplane with this
equipment is usable at any OF the Air
Corps posts from Alaska to Florida
throughout the year.
The BITS Is a development Of the
amphibion in which Maj. Alexander
r. de Seversky last year established
world speed record Of 230.03 miles
per hour for amphibion airplanes.
A N AWARD in memory of Lawrence
B. Sperry. pioneer in blind flying
and air navigation, to be given annu-
ally to the young man who has made
"the greatest contribution to the ad-
vancement of aeronautics during the
year." has been announced by the
Institute of Aeronautical. Sciences.
A fund of $4,000 has been pro-
vided by Elmer A. Sperry, jr., Edward
G.. Sperry and Helen Sperry Lea.
brothers and sister of Mr.. Sperry, who
was drowned in an attempt to fly the
English Channel in 1923. The Insti-
tute will administer the fund and will
give a certificate and $3.50 in cash to
the winner.
The committee named to select the
recipient for 1886 is composed of Gro
yer Loening, Glenn L. Martin, Charles
L. Lawrance, Maj. James H. Doolittle,
Elmer A. Sperry. jr., and Maj. Lester
D. Gardner.
DECLARING that the United States
today sis better situated to con-
tinue the construction of rigid air.
ships than any other country with the
exception Of Germany" the Air De-
fense League has called upon the
President to direct that a complete
policy be outlined for the continued
development of lighter-than-a craft
in this country and to see that 1.-The
necessary steps are taken so that a
construction and operation program
for airships will be started at once"
I'VE believe" the league said in
statement, that the achievement of
the Germans flying across the Attain
tic to Lakehurst presents challenge
to this country to pursue further work
in this field, which Is clearly demon
strated to be practical, safe and Of
great value to the development of for
eign trade and transportation.
The league pointed out that the
Durand Committee report. based upon
purely scientific analysis" Of the
airship problem, stresses the ''pracu-
cabilility of the design, construction
and operation of such airships with a
reasonable margin of safety"
"The United States has today" said
Jay Cooke, executive vice president of
the league, about $25 900, 900 invested
in Hghter-than-air equipment and
has the nucleus of an efficient trained
personnel available. We have operat-
ing bases, hangers, great reserves Of
helium (available only as the United
States) and adequate manufacturing
facilities. Only three large airships
have ever been built in the United
States, and it is contrary to the spirit
of the American people that we should
abandon our efforts in this field mere
ly because the three ships we have
built have not been successful.
THE German success in lighter
than-air did not come with only q
slight effort, for they have built a total
Of 1873 rigid airShips, as compared with
the three we have built. The Hin
denburg Is only the tenth strictly
commercial ship built but represents
the latest in design and construction"
THE Washington debut of the giant
new Douglas sleeper transport"
largest commercial land airliner yet
turned out for scheduled domestic
service, has been moved a step closer
with the inauguration Of Department
OF Commerce service tests.
The first of the big airplanes now
Is engaged in so hours of required air.
line operations, without passengers.
between Los Angeles and Fort Worth.
After these tests, which it was esti-
mated would require about a week,
the ship was to go back to the factory
at Santa Monica, Calf, for a thor
ough check and Tightening up."
Leaving the factory after this check,
the big airliner is expected to come
East for an additional so hours of sery-
ice testing, also without pay passen-
gers, between New York and Chicago,
probably about June /. Since the
DIST is to be used both on the South
ern transcontinental route through
washington and on the New York
Chicago run, there is a possibility that
the trip from California to New York
may bring the plane through WASH
ington. If not, it is expected the
plane will be brought here some time
after completion of the 100 hours
OF required service testing.
In its first Department of Com
merce run the DIST flew non-stop
from Los Angeles to Fort Worth in
hours and 40 minutes, at an average
speed Of 1876 miles per hour, estab-
fishing what is said to be a new nom
stop record for stock commercial air.
planes Of any size over the route. The
airplane, weighing 1880 pounds
empty, took of with a gross weight
Of $4,000 pounds in 20 seconds from
q standing start, it was reported.
The second and third DSTs now
are nearly ready for delivery to Amer
ican Airlines.
FIFTY pilots CT United Air Lines
have flown 1000, 900 or more miles
each, establishing what is said to be
world record for transport pilots.
1t has been announced by company
ofncials. The average flying time of
United's 127 pilots Is 5000 hours, ac-
cording to company records.
The total flying of the so veterans
OF the airline staff amounts to TO-
00o,000 miles, according to E. p. Lott.
superintendent of flying, who con.
tends that no similar group of pilots
in the world can equal the combined
record Of these men.
Among the 50 are s,lch vateror, -