Evening star., 1937-07-17
AIR BUREAU TO FIX
|SAFETY LIMITS ON
|A|RPORT LANDINGS
Pilots UItimatum Effects
| Code Governing Use of
Emergency Field.
FLYERS COOPERATE
IN DRAFTING RULES
Aviation Underwriters Meanwhile
Give OK. to Present Facilities
Across Potomac.
BACKGROUND


An ultimatun delipered a neck
ago By airline pilots that they will
not nv at Washington Airport nn-
less conditions which they aHeoe
to be dangerous are remedted
Dithin so days has prsctptt1ted
greatest crisis in II years OF local
airport agitation. District Airport
Commission last Monday publ,shed
its report, recommending construc-
ton of model airport at Camp
Springs. Md. Chairman King OF
the commission has prepared a
bill authorizing the airport os a
Federal project.
Drafting of . history making reg,I-
lation which is expected TO insure
OF air transport service
in Washington by meeting last weeks
"ultimatum' Of airline pilots was be-
ing completed today at the Bureau of
Air Commerce.
The new rezula ton, which probably
will be the basis for similar regula-
tions at other ohsolescent airports
throughout the country rs Air trans
port planes grow in size, would set
up detailed operations minimums for
Washington Airport, prescribing con-
ditions under which pilots viii b
permitted to land and take OF in
various types Of airliners.
The regulation is expected to spec
ify. with Federal authority, conditions
under which air transport planes op-
Grating to and from Washington
must transfer operations from WASH
ington Airport to the new Boiling
Field. emergency use of which was
authorized yesterday by the War De-
partment.
Pilots Aid IN Draft.
Details OF the proposed regulation
we're worked out At long session be-
tween Howard F. Rough, assistant di-
rector of air commerce: representa-
tives of the National Air Line Pilots
Association, and the working trans
port pilots who operate out OF Wash
ington Airport. The session ended
after o'clock last night with the
assurance to the pilots that the deS
tailed plan agreed upon will be put
into effect "ss soon as possible
The first emergency" Use Of Boil
Ing Field was made yesterday by an
Eastern Air Lines airliner on the
coastal run through Washington.
Finding wind conditions At Washing
ton Airport unsuitable for landing on
the main 4.200-foot runway. the crew
decided. on short notice, TO put in
at Boiling Field as an alterna tive
to canceling the stop here. Capt.
Walter Wipprecht was in command
Of the airliner.
Arrangements now are being COM
pleted by the airlines for supplies Of
gasoline and oil and other necessities
at Boiling Field. it was announced.
While the Commerce Department
was completing its study of special
regulations to insure safety Of opera
tions at the local airport, the Asso-
cisted Aviation Underwriters issued
report last night giving the Washins-
ton Airport clean bill Of health from
a safety standpoint.
Following an investigation Of the
local situation, the insurance group
declared that the safety record Of
Washington Airport in the past has
been excellent and listed many i'm
provements which have been made
there in the interests Of safety. It
pointed out that. if there is any oues-
tion in the mind OF any pilot as to
the safety Of the airport. 1t is his
privilege and duty at any time to re-
fuse to land or take of there.
The report closed: Our group hiss
for a number of years carried insur-
ance on equipment going into and out
OF Washington Airport aggregating
many millions OF dollars and could
not tolerate conditions which We con-
slider decidedly dangerous. Our in
vestigation fails to indicate the ne
cessity At this time for changing our
past attitude as affects this airport"
The report was signed by Dan Scar
ritt. underwriting manager for the
Associated Aviation Underwriters.
Regulations Complicated.
The proposed regulation agreed upon
At the meeting between Rough and
the pilots was described as quite
complicated" 1t stipulates wind ve-
locities at various angles with the
main runway which are considered
safe for landings and take offs by va
rious types Of airplanes. Winds alcng
the main 4.200-foot runway are con-
sidered safe for the landing or take
OF Of airplanes Of any size.
With no wind, the long runway may
be used safely for landings or take
offs. As the wind increases In We
locity, the permissible angle" IL di-
rection makes with the main runway
becomes less and less. In other words,
it was explained, if the wind Is light
it may be blowing diasonally across
the runway and ladingS on the run
way still may b. made safely. Al the
wind becomes stronger. however, the
airplane must land headed more and
more directly into the direction from
which 1t Ia blowing.
1T is dificult problem to handle" I"
Director Of Air Commerca Fred d,
Fagg, jr., admitted. II think. how
ever. that We have made decided
progress and that the emergency
phase Of the situation now Il pretty
well in hand"
Behneke Sees Problem Met.
David L. Behncke. president Of the
National Air Line Pilots Association,
also expressed himself as satisfied with
proeress made on the drafting Of the
regulation, which Is without prece-
dent In the history Of scheduled air
transport regulations.
Il do not think" Behncke said, "thsk
1t Is going to be necessary to put our
ultimatum into effect. believe that
under the terms Of this regulation.
safety requirements at Washington
Airport will be adequately met and
that, II Boiling Field Is made avail-
able for emergency use. 1t will be pos
sible to continue all present air trans.