GOODBYE
© Wide World Photos
AT TOYNBEE HALL, LONDON
“Accordingly, the task of establishing, maintaining and operating aids to avigation along air routes was assigned to the Lighthouse Service; the mapping of air routes, to the Coast and Geodetic Survey; the scientific research for the improvement of air navigation aids, to the Bureau of Standards; and the development of foreign market to the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce.
“The department had no facilities for the examination and licensing of aircraft and airmen, for the enforcement of air traffic rules, or for the collection and dissemination of aeronautical information. It was necessary to set up new instrumentalities to deal with these matters, and two special divisions were accordingly established—the Division of Air Regulations and the Division of Air Information. For convenience of reference these two divisions, together with the Airways Division of the Bureau of Lighthouses, the Airway Mapping Section of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, and the Aeronautical Research Division of the Bureau of Standards, are collectively referred to as the Aeronautics Branch of the Department.
“The work of the Air Regulations Division includes the inspection of aircraft for airworthiness and their registration as aircraft of the United States; the examination and licensing of airmen serving in connection with licensed aircraft; the identification by letter and number of all aircraft, including those not licensed; the investigation of accidents and the enforcement of air traffic rules....
“It is contemplated that practically all new production aircraft will be manufactured under what is known as an approved type certificate. In order to secure such a certificate the manufacturer submits to the Air Regulation Division plans and specifications with a stress analysis. This is checked by aeronautical engineers and if found satisfactory an airplane built according to these specifications is then given a thorough flight test. After this has been successfully accomplished the certificate is issued. Thereafter planes manufactured according to the approved plans and specifications will be licensed upon the manufacturer’s affidavit to this effect and a short flight test. The department’s aircraft inspectors and aeronautical engineers visit the various factories from time to time to check up on materials and workmanship, but Government inspectors are not stationed regularly at any of the factories.
“To carry out the medical certification of applicants there have been 230 doctors appointed in various parts of the country, all of whom operate under the medical director of the Aeronautics Branch.