Evening star., 1939-01-09

pendent on constant progress in the
new engineering science Of aero
nautics. The efficiency of an air
force is in approximately direct
proportion to the emphasis that is
placed on scientific research in aero
nautics, combined, of course, with
engineering development, production
and training.
What has happened during the
last few years that has so greatly
increased the relative Importance OF
air power in the national defense
programs of nations? OF first i'm
portance are the contributions of
research laboratories which have so
greatly extended the speed, range
and carrying capacity of aircraft.
Methods of construction also have
been improved"
Although designs of military air
craft and manufacturing methods
in Europe and the United States
have not differed widely, the N. A.
c. A. reported, the larger quantities
of aircraft manufactured In Europe
have accelerated progress toward
mass production methods"
Numbers Alone Not Sufficient.
"Once nation has embarked upon
program intended to develop its
air strength to maximum effective
ness" the report stated. "the pro-
vision of adequate laboratory re-
search facilities and the training of
skilled research personnel become of
fundamental Importance The ma
jor European powers at the present
time are engaged on relatively large
aircraft building programs which are
being prosecuted under feverish
pressure.
Mere numbers of aircraft, how
ever, are not In themselves sufficient
for an adequate modern air force.
1t is of even greater Importance that
the aircraft be of the most effective
design. The advances in aeronautical
science are so rapid that assiduous
attention to the subject cannot with
safety be suspended for even a
brief period.
Where a few years ago we were
pleased with speeds of around 200
miles per hour, we now seek to at
tain with fully loaded service air
planes speeds of 300 and 400 miles
per hour. 1t is not only good policy
from financial consideration. but
also vital from the standpoint of
national defense, that American air.
craft have performance equal to
or superior to that of a potential
enemy. This principle necessitates
serious consideration of American
aeronautical research and expert
mental facilities"
Special Report to Be Made.
Although the United States for a
number of years was able to keep
in the forefront of scientific re-
search in aeronautics, the N. A. C. A.
told Congress, the last four years
have brought increasing emphasis
on aeronautical research on the part
of European powers"
In the face of this foreign threat
the N. A. C. A. last October created
Special Committee on Future Re-
search Facilities, headed by the late
Mai. Gen. Oscar Westover, chief of
the Army Air Corps, who was killed
in crash on the West Coast soon
afterward. This committee, now
headed by Rear Admiral Arthur
Cook, chief of the Navy Bureau of
Aeronautics, soon will make spe-
cial report to Congress, the N. A.
c. A. announced.
Summarizing commercial air
transport developments, the N. A.
c. A. reported that this year will
witness Inauguration of trans-At-
lantic air service to the Mediter-
ranean area.
I'm the highly competitive field of
international air transportation
definite advantage will lie with that
nation that has the most efficient
aircraft" it is stated in the report.
Continued active support of scien-
tific laboratory research will not
only pay large dividends In this
field, but is absolutely essential to
success"
Use of private aircraft in the
United States on much larger
scale should be encouraged to pro-
vide a reservoir of pilots, "consti-
tuting distinct national asset in
the event of war;" and to increase
the productive capacity of the air.
craft industry, it was reported.
1.-THE committee believes that civil
aeronautics will in time prove as
revolutionary in the lives of the
people as the automobile" it was
stated. ITO achieve such a contri-
button to the progress of civilization
will require not merely sound eco
nomic promotional impetus, such as
the good-roads movement gave to
the development of the automo-
bile, but it will definitely require
the earnest and serious support of
scientific research and encourage
ment of experimental engineering
development that will put into use
full form the results Of laboratory
research."
The greatest aiuRle need for ID.