Evening star., 1946-10-26
Low Flying
Continued From First Page.)

unreaSonably low flying 1t was said,
will bring prompt relief when backed
by specific details.
Maryland Police Can Act.
While control of the noise nui-
sance in airport approach areas Is
largely a matter of voluntary CO.
operation on the part of pilots in
the interest Of public goodwill, reck-
less or low flying by planes not
landing or taking of is an entirely
different matter which can be dealt
with directly by CAA inspectors or
the police.
In Maryland the State Police,
operating patrol cars equipped with
two-day radios, often can respond
to a telephoned complaint in mat
ter of minutes and be waiting at the
proper field to demand an explanaA
ton or make an arrest when the
pilot in question lands.
Complaints to police in the Dis
trict or Virginia, however. are re-
ferred to the local CAA inspector,
at TIE. 1905, Route Four, Box rs,
Beacon Field, Alexandria.
The Maryland State Division OF
Aeronautics, with CAA cooperation
had educated State police in en-
forcement of flying regulations,
which provide penalties of fines,
Jail sentences or both for reckless
operations. In Maryland it is illegal
to fly anywhere under 500 feet ex-
cept while landing or taking of.
Most Complaints Faulty.
Civil Aeronautics Board regula-
tions call for attitudes of at least
1000 feet over populated areas, ex-
cept on airport approaches, although
planes can fly at any altitude in
open country SO long as they do
not endanger the life or property
of others. The CAA Is empowered
to revoke licenses for various periods
for tnfractions.
The principal difficulty of enforce
ment here has been that more than
30 per cent of the complaints are
neither prompt nor specific enough.
Commercial and private planes
carry large Identifying numbers un-
der their wings. The public, for
some reason, Is still under the i'm
preston that airplanes are so few
authorities can spot them with the
aid of only a general description.
Given the proper number, however,
the CAA can locate the plane
quickly.
Many offenders are "repeaters"-
young pilots or students who slip
away from prescribed .snEa cfice
courses to- buzz the hume eta girl
friend, or stunt for the beneflt of
some, other acquaintance -ons the
ground. Violations witnessed Sby
more than one person, With sup
porting details, almost always re-
suit in penalties.
Can Be Warned Aloft.
In less fragrant cases. a tele-
phone call to the probable field of
origin will bring a reprimand to
the pilot from the operator, who is
as anxious to safeguard his planes
and the lives of his students as he
is to maintain his reputation in the
community.
Recently training and practice
courses for, pilots flying from Col
lege Park, Greenbelt and Queens
Chapel have been readjusted to
avoid residences as much as posi-
BILE. With flight training booming
under the CT Bill of Rights, in
creasing complaints were received
during the summer. especially from
Montgomery County.
Hot" areas, as the inspectors call
them, developed in Silver Spring.
Burnt Mill Hills, and the heights
behind Anacostia and Arlington.
But they're cooling off now" an
inspector said, "and if the public
will back us up, we'll keep them
cool