Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 88.djvu/119

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 aeronautical 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 machines which he knew were unsafe.

At the last session of Congress, one million dollars was appropriated for aeronautics. But, is the outlook better? Will new machines be bought, a permanent foundation built for the fleet of aeroplanes that the United States must and 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 automobile, we have little to show for the appropriation in the way of flying machines.



An aeronautic base de luxe was built at Pensacola, Florida. This station consists of a navy yard and a naval reservation, 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 detailed for flying service were assigned to administrative and executive duty in order to keep up and maintain this expensive 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