Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-08-08
u. =. AIR
Power
BY Mai. Alex P.
de Seversky

lStratlOn mas maze KNOWN =
the main features of a billion
dollar construction program for
airports,
AS outlined by Assistant Sec.
rotary of Commerce William A.
plans envision
the building of some 5000 new
airfields, which would double
the number now available and
also extensive Improvements on
1.625 existing fields.
Ambitious as this project
sounds, it is modest in relation
TO the total commercial aviation
and private flying which our
country may expect after the
war.
The network OF airports,
moreover, will represent a defi-
mite value in terms of military
security.
1t is to be hoped. therefore,
that the American people and
their Congress will not be
alarmed by the billion dollar
figure, and that representatives
OF Older methods of transporta-
ton will not play dog-in-the-
manger on development which
is inevitable in any case.
IF is should be recalled that
despite the obvious possible
ties OF the automobile in its
early stages, intensive exploita-
ton Jagged until comfortable
and efficient highways had been
opened up.
fhe history OF the airplane r. 4
certain 10 follow the same patti
tern.
The greater the landing tacili-
ties. the more widespread the
conVeniences of air transport,
the faster civil aviation will un-
fold.
Aircraft with all their at
tendant facilities, will have a d.
rect tieup with our national
strategic planning and will be-
come an essential part of our
military strength
The air power Of every nation
viii stem from It's air commerce.
Just as The sea power of great
naval nations IN the past
stemmed from their sea COM
merce.
AS commercial aviation of our
country grows, the aviation in
dustry, aeronau,ical research,
the pool Of highly skilled AVA
ton personnel will also grow.
And these are the foundations
OF air power, the reservoir from
which our aerial strength VIII
be drawn in n national emer-
gency.
Every encouragement of civil
aviation will consequently be a
direct contribution 10 national
defense.
nNE of the WiSest recommen.
" datlons made by CAA is
that the lions share of the
funds available for airports be
earmarked for the construction
Of small fields.
Mr.. Burden justified this on
the ground that small airports
VIII facilitate private flying IN
small places. Personally / am
convinced that even scheduled
passenger and cargo planes viii
soon be able TO operate from
such small fields. 4
Those Of us who had expert
ence in the first world war TO
guide US urged larger alrports
before the present war.
Experience had taught us that
under the pressure OF war neces-
slty airplanes would take greater
risks than under normal condi-
tons: they would take off with
oVerloads and would therefore
require exceptionally long rum
ways.
When war did come. the fail
ure TO provide fields OF adequate
size became apparent and there
was a rush TO expand their size.
THE result is that many peo-
Il pie arc now thinking in terms
OF bigger and bigger airports.
when IN fact the process Is
bound TO be reversed.
True progress in the perform
ance OF aircraft lies in constant
increase of top speed coupled
with reduction OF the landing
speed.
There is no question in my
mind that after the war emer-
/ gency passes. ways will be found
/ 10 increase what is called the
dlapason-the spread of range
from low 10 high speed in air.
craft.
The airplane will fly faster.
yet il will be able 10 land more
slowly and 10 approach the air.
port at sleeper gliding angle
an angle that comes ever closer
to vertical descent that only
autogiros and helIcopters can
manage today.
THE length OF the landing
L strip may therefore be ex-
r,cctod 70 rhr-a,l. from, III. Tina