Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-05-09

DESPITE a request from the Ma.
tlonal Aeronautic Association for
postponement until 1888 OF the pro-
posed New York-Paris race. COM
memorating the tenth anniversary of
the flight by Col Charles A. Lind
bergh, plans still are going forward
for the event, and three well-knovn
American pilots already have filed
entries.
In requesting that the event 90 over
Tor year, the N A. A. expressed a
fear that pilots would attempt to fy
the Atlantic in unsuitable types of
alrplanes, exposing themselves to
needless hazards. Accidents which
might result from such a race. it was
argued, probably would prejudice the
public on both sides of the Atlantic
against regular air transport service.
soon to be pioneered between the
United States and Europe. N. A. A.
o1hclaS also expressed the belief that
within another year new types of air.
craft suitable for such q venture would
be available.
The race is scheduled to be held
during August for s134,7OO in prizes
offered by the French air minister.
The American pilots who have filed
entries with the N. A. A. are Henry
t. Dick Merrill, James ]. Mattern
and an unnamed aviator who has en-.
tered under the pseudonym of Ben
HILL All three have already flown
the Atlantic. Merrill has crossed
Twice and is about to attempt another
round trip to attend the coronation
OF King George VI and to 1v back
motion picture films He will carry
with him as co-pilot J. S. Larbip.
his regular flying mate on Eastern
Air Lines. Mattern and Hill" have
not yet announced the identity of their
co-pllots. All three are planning n
ny Lockheed airplanes, which will be
required to pass stringent examina-
lions for alrWorthiness by the Bureau
OF Air Commerce before the entries
will be approved
Although the N A. A.. is receiving
entries for the race as it is REQUIRED
to do as the American representative
OF the Federation Aeronautioue In.
ternatIonale, it has not changed its
views as to the inadvsabilitv of mn
oertaklng the race this year. accord.
ing to Charles F. Horner, president q,
the association.
THROUGH the addition of small
oll-cracking device to an ordinary
alrplane engine, kerosene was used
successfully as fuel during a two
nour Hight by the chief pilot of ths
Aero Club Of Coechoslovakia. Accord
Ing TO report received by the Com.
merce Department from its COM
merclal atnche at Prague.
ANY gasoline engine can be adapted
Tor burning kerosene by installation
OF the device. which reduces mineral
OIL 10 a dry gas, 1t was explained.
Complete combustion is effected with.
out resulting smoke or odor and with
greater fuel economy and lessening Of
flre hazards, it was stated In the re.
port.
WASHINGTON soaring pilots at
tending the eighth annual ma
tional soaring contest at Elmira, N. Y.
beginning June 26, expect to find
soaring facilities unsurpassed by any,
thing in Europe
olnce last year, permanent build
mgs with modern conveniences have
been constructed on isolated Harris
Hill, near Elmira. There is a large
administration building, including a
dining hall and dance floor, which will
serve as a social hall during bad
weather and in the evenings. A large
fireproof hangar will house the gliders
and comfortable sleeping cabins and
bath houses have been provided for
the pilots. A swimming pool is being
constructed
There are Offices for contest officials,
the meteorological bureau. the medical
staff and administrative officers. Sleep
Ing quarters for 100 persons are avail
able in 10 cabins. The narrow wind
ing dirt road so well remembered
by contestants in past years has been
Wldened, Strengthened and paved and
l,500-toot runway has been graded
on the take-off site.
GASOLINES of five different anti
knock ratings will be provided
under an order for 10000 900 gallons
placed by American Airlines to meet
its requirements for aviation fuel dur
ing the coming IL months. The high
octane ratings. ranging from 80 to 95,
indicate the great advances made in
| the airplane engines used on the ma jor
| airlines.
The quality of aviation gasoline. as
measured by the octane rating, always
has been a great deal higher than au-
| tomobile fuels and the tendency has
been constantly toward more and
more rigid requirements. Two years
ago 100-octane fuel was a laboratory
product and it virtually was impos-
sible to obtain fuel rated much above
30. For world records, 87-octane was
used. Today 81 is standard airline
fuel and in the near future 100 may
| become standard.
American planes are now flying
$4,000 miles day and the average
consumption is 9l.3 gallons per hour,
| or about two miles per gallon.
Field HOnOrs Bow.