The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-08-12
Wings

Increased air activity created by
the defense program has brought
forth new ruling by the Civil Aero
nautics Authority to the effect that
all contact" flying within the linn
its of a Civil Airway henceforth is
to be limited to $500 feet. All
planes flying above $500 feet must
be equipped with two-way radio.
As Ypsilanti Is situated In about
the center of Civil Airway, many
of the LockheedHudson bombers
and North American training ships
bound for Britain may be seen If one
will but look skyward.
OF the SO persons enrolled In De-
tense Training classes in welding at
the Ypsilanti High School, approxi.
mately so are studying aircraft
welding. This particular group Of
so are specializing In the welding
OF chrome-molybdenum, a metal
alloy used In construction OF air
| craft frames.
According to Frank Schimel, dt
rector OF the Defense Training class.
es, plans are also being formulated
for the acquisition OF equipment
for conducting classes in aircraft
riveting and drilling. 1t is expected
that there will be several classes
and that each will accommodate 20
persons. Mr.. Schimel states that
notices OF registration for entrants
in all Of the classes offered will be
given in about two weeks.
In this regard 1t is interesting
to note that according to a recent
article in a national magazine.
Lawrence Bell. manufacturer Of the
Airacobra Zone OF the fastest pur-
suit ships in use in the United
States Army states that the COM
plexity and the precision required
In building airplanes is one OF the
main reasons why large-scale pro-
duction OF planes does not move
with the rapidity of. say, automo-
| biles. There are 5000 separate
parts and about 10000 rivets in the
air frame alone Of the P-39. (Aira.
cobra) That is, In the bald plane
minus landing gear, instruments,
guns, propellers and engine. e.
Thus there is great need for rivet-
ers and welders. Production Is
further delayed on these planes by
the fact that all parts OF the plane
are X-rayed to detect flaws in metal
or construction and to prevent pos
sibility Of sabotage.
The summer ground school course
in meteorology, air traffic rules, and
navigation conducted by Mrs. H. B.
Britton and offered at the Normal
College in connection with the civil
ian pilot training is being attended
by Ken Swick. Esther Goodwin.
Larry Cahours, and Joe Martin OF
this city. all OF whom hope to
qualify for their private licenses
soon. Mrs. Britton holds both a
transport license and an instru-
ment rating.
A newcomer at the McEnnan Air
port is Charles Truss, Wayne, who
has his Taylorcraft plane staked
at the west end OF the hangar. Mr..
Truss formerly flew from Wayne
County Airport, but as this field
has been taken over by the govern.
ment for military purposes all pri-
vate flying there has been discon.
tinued.
Steak roasts are becoming a ira
dltion at the McEnnan Airport since
the construction OF an outside fire.
place at that port a few weeks ago
On Thursday a "potluck" roast was
held In honor OF Del POTTS. birthday
Mr.. Poff also soloed recently. Miss
ing from the activities at the port
is the flying Atkinson duo. Lora
and Leil, who are motoring in the
South with a party OF four. Among
the places included in their timer
airy Is Randolph Field, Army avla
ton field. where they expect tc
stop 10 see Don H. Lee. Jr. aviation
cadet and former pilot at tie Nc
Ennan port.
The Civilian Pilot Training pro
gram at the Ann Arbor Airport, Il
reported prIZrc sing nicely. a.
cordlng to ding" Inglebritzen. anC
the various courses offered will b.
completed In about two weeks
Twenty University OF Michigan stu
dents are expected to qualify TO
private license ratings; ten will
receive secondary or restricted com
mercial ratings; and nine will com
plete their cross-country training
Dick Manning and Christy Wilson
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