Popular Science Monthly

"Another Army Aviator Killed" — how often we see that headline. It must not be supposed that these men are killed while attempting to perform circus feats, such as looping-the-loop. Despite many newspaper reports to the contrary, they are usually killed during the performance of their duty — nothing more.

What effect has all this on our aero- nautical corps ? The officers of the Army and Navy, detailed to aeronautical work, are dissatisfied and disappointed, but still hopeful. Some of them, who have seen too many of their brother officers and friends crash to their death, have voiced their opinions. One officer is now being court-martialled for refusing to fly ma- chines which he knew were unsafe.

At the last session of Congress, one million dollars was appropriated for aero- nautics. But, is the outlook better? Will new machines be bought, a permanent foundation built for the fleet of aero- planes that the United States must and

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eventually will have? How was this needed appropriation spent ? A few machines were bought, and a few more may be ordered. Although aeroplanes cost slightly more than a good automo- bile, we have little to show for the ap- propriation in the way of flying machines.

An aeronautic base dc luxe was built at Pensacola, Florida. This station con- sists of a navy yard and a naval reserva- tion, containing two villages, the civilian population of which totals one thousand and sixty-nine people. As this station is as large as some of the large navy yards in full operation throughout the country, many of the officers who had been de- tailed for flying service were assigned to administrative and executive duty in order to keep up and maintain this ex- pensive plant. AH this for half a dozen ■aeroplanes of doubtful worth^and a new and costly dirigible of an antiquated type! Fine for the people of Florida, but

���LaiiiiiiL; 1 ;igc at the Pensacola aero base. Many of these fine appearing machines are antiquated and unsafe, fit only for the junk-heap

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