AVIATION CAMP PROBABLE

Plans for the proposed aviation camp which is being fostered by Frazier Curtis '98, formerly of the Escadrille Americaine, Denxieme Groupe d'Aviation, are gradually assuming definite shape. A number of graduates members of the Harvard Clubs of Boston and New York, have encouraged the plan and have practically promised contributions to finance the establishment of a training camp, to be situated on Long Island, near the already constructed flying field at Hempstead, in Atlantic on the site of the old Harvard Aviation Field, or in the vicinity of Charles River Village. Any flat, cheap tract of country will be adaptable to the requirements of the corps.

The principal expenses for the University aero corps will be for machines. Three-cylinder engines are best adapted for practice use. They average about 25 and 35 horsepower apiece, and the approximate cost for each horsepower is $20.

At Pau the course is intensive, only four months being required to turn out a finished aeroplane operator. The sum expended for the education of each man is about $1200, exclusive of board and lodging. The recruit wins a military brevet after spending twenty or thirty hours in the air, fifteen minutes each morning and fifteen minutes each morning and fifteen in the afternoon, according to weather. There are eight classes or grades from one to another of which the candidate progresses as his ability to manipulate the aircraft develops.

At first he uses only a "penguin," a 25-horsepower Bleriot monoplane, which is so termed because its wings are clipped so that it cannot leave the ground. The tendency of the machine is to travel in circles and thereby the novice is educated in steering an aeroplane, and in driving it with the tail horizontal. Handling the engine properly is also taught. The next step is to another "penguin," this time of 35 horsepower. Not until near perfection is reached is the third step, to a 35 horsepower Bleriot monoplane, permitted. This machine is flown about a quarter mile in a straight flight, rising from the ground only to the approximate height of 30 feet. The fourth class of aeroplane is a more powerful, 45-horsepower Bleriot, which rises to a height of 100 feet. The novice must fly a mile in this and bring it to a landing with the engine shut off. The fifth class is the same machine, but with it the aviator must learn to turn corners and execute other more difficult moves. Vol-planing is attempted in the next stage of development, which calls for a Caudron biplane or a Bleriot monoplane. A height of 2000 feet is attained. Next the candidate takes an 80-horsepower model and flies as far and as high as he wishes. He is now ready for his brevet, for which he must undergo three tests: first, stay an hour at a height of 6500 feet with self-registering barograph; second, make a triangular trip of 130 miles inside of 48 hours; third, make a straight flight 100 miles and back in 24 hours with only one stop allowed each way.