AERONAUTICS: Requirements

Although there are insufficient flyers in the U. S. to man the planes produced, and although this insufficiency has begun to thwart sales, the Department of Commerce has all along fought scamp training schools. Obvious reason: poorly trained pilots endanger life and property, in the air, on the ground. Last week, Assistant Secretary William Patterson MacCracken approved a set of regulations stiffening the requirements for Government licenses, which now stand as follows: For Private License. On the ground, 5 hrs. study of air commerce regulations, 10 hrs. of aviation engine study, 10 hrs. of airplane study (rigging, maintenance, repair). In the air, 10 hrs. dual instruction, 8 hrs. solo flying. For Limited Commercial License. On the ground, 15 hrs. study of engines, 15 hrs. of planes, 15 hrs. aerial navigation and meteorology. In the air, 50 hrs. flying time, of which 15 to 25 hrs. may be with instruction. For Transport License. On the ground, 25 hrs. of engine study, 30 of planes, 15 hrs. of meteorology, 10 hrs. of aircraft instruments and radio, 15 hrs. of aerial navigation. In the air, 200 hrs. flying time of which 35 to 50 hrs. may be with instructor. Curtiss Flying Service’s tuition fees may be taken as a key for such costs: for private license (25-hr, course), $600; for limited commercial license 50-hr course), $1,200; for transport license, $4,500.