Evening star., 1937-07-25
Youth S Air
|FeatS Bring
Great Thrill
Charles Davy, II, Has
Solo Flight Record
and Field Job.
BY Louise Hartley
WasseU.

T IMAGINE what a thrill you would
get working at an airport-Well
that is just what Charles Duncan
L Davy has done every Summer
vacation since he was II.
Charles is II now, and has been
flying solo for a year. While he knew
how for long time before that and
pilots, he was required by law to
wait until he was 16 before taking
an airplane off the ground all by him
self. Think of it! His flying log
looks pretty good for a lad of his
age, and his hours are adding up
every day he flies.
He proudly says he has flown sew
eral types of planes, including Tay-
lor Cubs, Travelair E 1000, Aeronca K
low and high wings. Great Lake 2
TIA and others and hopes some day
TO own his own plane His solo
flights have been made from Beacon
Field, Congressional Field and Wash
lngton Airport
Early in life Charles decided to
strive to be a great aviator and blaze
the sky trail for the younger genera
ton. So, as soon as school was out.
the Summer Of 1882, he took ground
school flying course at Drew Field
near st. Petersburg, Fla.
All day long, as the planes landed
at the airport, Charles would hel,
the mechanics check the engines and
mechanism, 80 that they would be
0. k he said, before taking off
again" Three evenings week he
had lectures on the science OF flying
Here he learned laws and regulations
governing air traffic, heights of fv-
ing over different localities, and in
formation relative to safe air travel
When l 'Warmed-up' my first en-
glne,' Charles said, 4 got the thrill
of my life"
Three years ago his parents moved
to Washington Not desiring TO lose
the experience he had in Florida
Charles took himself down to the
washington Airport and got a lob
Here he directed air traffic by svs-
tenn OF lights from the top of the
Administration Building. although he
old not get a salary at first He
learned that green light burning
meant safety, go ahead; a red
llent, hold until road is clear" that
red burning, with green flashing con-
1innously. was an order to return
| 70 ramp. He also operated the
| safety lights for motor cars on Mill
| tary road, which unfortunately runs
| through the airfeld This is ali
| changed now by an up-to-date radio
| system.
Charles said it was exciting to see
the distinguished people land and
take of at the field. Some he re-
members were Mrs. Franklin D. Poose-
| VeIt, Secretary Roper, Secretary Wal
lace, Amelia Earhart and members
OF the diplomatic corps, the cabinet
and Congress.
Besides being an aviator, Charles
! IS an accomplished musician. He has
| played in string quartet at the
Pan-American Building at the recep-
| ton for the Mexican Amba ssaGor at
! Constitution Hall and at church and
| school concerts. Unlike mos bows.
| ne does not mind practicing, and can
always find time between going to
school and working at the airpor. to
! get IN few practice hours.
His pet Lakeland terrier. Sandy
enjoys hearing him play his violin
and will lie perfectly still in rapt at
tention.
He is now in Boy Scout camr
near Petersburg, Fla. and hopes tc
get over to Drew Field again, where
ne took his first flying lessons
Charles will act as councilman a,
camp until school commences ir
Washington this Fall.