Evening star., 1940-03-07
1e|evising Plane
Test Promises New
Aviation Safety
New York Demonstration
Also Hints Revolutionary
Tactics in Warfare
BY THOMAS G. HARDMAN,
Star Staff Correspondent,

NEW 1 SIGIA, Nld1 ILL u1A Ca
pertinent of vast significance in
aviation safety and military tactics,
misunderstanding equipment yes
terday was successfully employed in
a transport plane flying high above
New York City's skyline.
Seated in room lined with re-
ceiving sets in the towering r. c. A.
Building, radio and airlines officials
saw flashed on television screens
for the first time in history views
registered by cameras flying 5000
feet in the air.
Tom Hardin, chairman of the
Air Safety Board of the Civil Aero
nautics Authority, who flew from
Washington for the experiment, said
the results of the test indicated
virtual elimination in future Of air
travel hazards now incident to land
ing and direction problems.
s'I was very surprised at the
highly successful outcome of the
experiment" Mr.. Hardin said. ut
may prove revolutionary as far as
our safety work is concerned
Two way Communication FOreseen.
The development opens the way
for experiments in two-way COM
munication by way of television be-
tween airports and commercial
Nlanes in flight. This communica-
ton now is done only by sound.
Yesterdays experiment completed
q television advance begun last fall
and using New York and Wash
ington as the focal points. At that
time a program televised In New
York was picked up on a receiv-
ing set aboard plane flying over
the Nations Capital.
Engineers described the second
test as much more difficult. In it
television shed the ponderous bulk
that has kept it earthbound.
Ten small television units, de-
veloped in the factories OF the
Radio Corp. of America, were loaded
aboard a Boeing transport used as
a flying laboratory by United Air
Lines. In addition, two motor gen.
orators were carried aloft to supply
power. However, the complete equip
ment weighed only 1,100 pounds as
compared with the old portable
sets which had to be loaded on two
lotion trucks.
On the receiving end the pic
lures were flashed exceedingly clear
considering the difficulties under
which the experiment was con-
Quoted.
The units were merely strapped
In the plane, giving the natural
vibration of the motors virtually
free rein over the delicate and
highly sensitive equipment. Writ
ing and figures on a companion
plane were easily readable on the
screen when the ship passed in
range of the cameras.
Goes to Homes, Too.
For more than As minutes tele-
vision screens in the R. c. A. lab
oratories, the studios Of the Ma
tional Broadcasting Co. and 1000
private homes already equipped with
received sets flashed bird's-eye
view of New York.
Several military officials were
among the group which sat before
the receptors at Radio City.
The experiment was described un-
officially as highly significant from
military standpoint due to the vast
advantages offered in determining
and relaying positions of battle
forces.
From a plane flying above enemy
lines could be picked up photo
graphic impressions which would
be flashed almost simultaneously
on screens located at general head
quarters. Such a practical applica-
ton, of course, will call for extern
sive experimentation and develop
ment.
Mr.. Hardin, who piloted c. A.
A. plane aboard which were airline
representatives and members of the
Washington press. pointed out that
with the application of the infra-
red ray to television photography
fog and similar weather hazards in
cident to commercial flying may be
virtually eliminated.
Commenting on this newest OF
television's strides, LenoX r. Lohr,
president of N. B. c., said the "tele-
visions unique characteristic Of be-
ing able to bring into living rooms
events happening miles away. so
that the public may witness them
at the time they occur, has never
been more clearly shown than in
the demonstration todav"
2 Among others flying from Wash
ington to witness the test were Her.
bert M. Hucke, communications en-
gineer of the Air Safety Board; Rob-
ert Pritchard of the R. C. A. Office in
Washington, and Walter Swan of
United Air Lines.