Evening star., 1946-06-27
'Capper |ndorses Plan
For Flight Experience
In High Schools Here

Senator Capper, Republican, OF
Kansas, said yesterday he will sup
port expanded aviation courses to
include flight experience for Dis
trict high schools at meetings of
the Senate District Committee when
the group convenes to study school
problems next fall.
The legislator made the state
ment when he invited Mrs. Pearle
T. Robinson, high school aviation
instructor, to luncheon at the Sem
ate cafeteria to discuss the courses.
About two weeks ago he visited a
high school class at National Air
port.
"The aviation work that has been
done in schools here is a fine thing,
and development I think people
are interested in," he said. II will
give my full support to extension
OF the program and expansion of
courses.
1.-THE committee hasn't had time
to give the program the amount
Of consideration we should" and
Senator Capper said he doubted
there would be time before Con-
gress adjourns next month. But 1t
will be one of the first considera-
tions when We convene in the fall"
he declared.
Groundwork" In Curricula.
Groundwork" aviation courses,
including CAA regulations, meteor
ology, navigation, aerodynamics and
map reading, have been included in
high school curricula since 1912,
when they were initiated as a war
for junior and senior stu
dents about to enter the service
air forces. The course was an
elective science subject. counting
two high school credits.
Mrs. Robinson, now in her 18th
year as District teacher, was asked
to head the classes, and instructed
three other flying teachers" who
have been carrying on instruction in
the high schools. With the end Of the
war, Mrs. Robinson said, students
want to continue courses as peace
time education" and she has called
for four hours of flight" expert
ence' to be included in the courses.
This would not be instruction,
but an adjunct to illustrate prac-
tical lessons learned in the theo-
retical groundwork courses" Mrs.
Robinson emphasized.
Disapproved by Board.
The flight proposal was disap-
proved by the Board of Education
because Of a ruling by the corpora
tion counsel that the board might
be legally responsible in case of
accidents" according to DR.. Chester
w. Holmes, assistant superintendent
OF schools in charge Of high schools.
Many Of the students who are
taking the courses are flying on
their own time, however" DR.. Holmes
said, "but that does not involve the
board" He added that he didn't
believe the flight experience" pro-
posal would be considered again by
Vic DOdIQ at CQS Clme.
Mrs. Robinson said she has signed
statements from parents indicating
approval OF the proposal, and she
added that school children are draw
ing up a petition to the board to
request flying courses.
Shortly after the program was be-
gun, Mrs. Robinson obtained a Piper
Cub which she said was loaned for
use by the Board of Education. Since
the board refused to accept re-
sponsibility for it, she has main
tanned it at her own expense.
Scholarships Under Study.
Meanwhile, authorization of four
f1ight-training scholarships for high
school students will be considered by
the Board of Education Monday, DR..
Holmes said. If approved, competi-
tive examinations will be held for
the scholarships, each worth $100.
They have been offered by:
The Asburn Flying Service, Inc,
for the Hybla Valley Airport, Alex
andria, Va; Brinckerhoff Flying
Service, for the College Park Air
port. College Park, Md; Schrom
Airport, Greenbelt, Md, and Beacon
Field and Sky Supply, Inc, for
Beacon Field, Alexandria.
Examinations have already been
held for two similar scholarships
approved last year, and DR.. Holmes
said winners might be announced
Monday. They were offered by
Representative Randolph, Democrat,
of West Virginia, former chairman
of the House District Committee,
for instruction at Congressional Air
port, Rockville, Md, and 1t. Col.
Arthur G. Hyde, for the Hyde Air
port, Clinton, Md.