Evening star., 1937-02-11
AVIATION SAFETY
PROJECTS MAPPED
Eleven Proposals to Be
Taken Up Immediately,
Vidal Reports.

Eleven major aviation development
projects to be undertaken at once and
eight projects for future study or de-
velopment have been agreed on as
a result of the National Aviation Safe
ty Conference here last week. &C
cording to Director of Air Commerce
Eugene L. Vidal.
VIDAL termed the conference "by far
the most beneficial aviation confer
ence ever held"
The list of projects, prepared for
issuance in connection with press
conference held yesterday by Secre-
tary of Commerce Roper, was de-
scribed by Vidal as "a very quick
summary" of the results of the con-
ference, attended by several hundred
of the Nations air leaders.
Eleven Projects Listed.
Immediate steps are to be taken
on the following II items, Vidal an
nounced:
/. Adoption of auxiliary means OF
navigation by all air lines. This
calls for utilizing the radio compass
or the radio directonal finder, two new
developments which enable the pilot
in flight to determine his position at
all times. It is intended to supple
ment but not to replace the present
directional beam flying and provides
an added check on the side of &C
eurate navigation. Vidal explained.
2. Installation of directional and
homing devices on all airliners. These
devices enable the pilot to find his
position by tuning in on any type of
Federal radio station and fly to his
destination by triangulation or di-
rectly to the transmitter to which he
Is tuned.
3. More eXactins navigational train
ing Of airline pilots. 1t was explained
that because some pilots have mis-
judged their position. particularly in
bad weather, methodical training in
the directional and homing devices
in fair weather is necessary"
Air Log Proposed.
4. Near-future installation OF an
air log on all airliners. This is in
effect a robot observer" which keeps
a constant record graphically on a
chart or by motion picture photog-
raphy Of all movements of the air
craft.
S. Installation of anti-static shield
ed loop antennae on all airliners. This
is to enable pilots to receive radio
directional signals and voice under
rain and snow static conditions so
severe that present type equipment
fails,
6. PRONUNCIATION of approved type
certificates for airliner radio equip
ment. These are requirements for
radio similar to those for aircraft
@engines, propellers and other acces-
ssories.
7. Installation of only simultaneous
voice and radio beacon broadcasting
equipment at all stations along the
airways to overcome necessity of cut
ting of the directional beam to broad
cast weather information.
8. Issuance of more detailed and
accurate Federal radio maps.
9. Pilot training on the Link train
er by all airlines. This is ground
device which makes possible full navi-
gational training and the checking of
pilot proficiency.
> Approach lights Urged.
= 10. Expediting installation by the
: Bureau of Air Commerce of airport
= approach lights to mark approaches
ito landing areas in bad weather.
n IL. Creation of an expanded safety
research and development section in
sthe Bureau of Air Commerce. This
would include committee represent
ing the airlines and other interests
involved to advise the Commerce De-
partment as to subjects most urgently
in need of development.
The eight items listed for future
development or study are:
/. Improved and more adequate
airway aids and weather reporting
systems.
: 2. Modernizing ground and air
plane radio equipment.
8. Installation of Federal ground
directional finding equipment for
emergency use. This would permit
ground stations. by triangulation, to
locate accurately the position of an
airplane and to report this to the
pilot in case other navigational aids
failed
Thick Weather Aids Planned,
4. Development of blind approach
systems to guide pilots directly into
airport runways in thick weather.
S. Thorough study of pilot training
and condition with stress on the pi-
lots physical and mental condition
and reactions.
6. Development of the nose
wheel" type of undercarriage and
sleeper glide-path landing character
istics.
Z. Catapulting of airliners to ac-
celerate take-offs.
8. Use of two first pilots for more
efficient navigation. Two pilots of
equal ability will make for greater
safety than Use of a relatively less
experienced co-pilot. it was pointed
out.
III -