AERONAUTICS: Dangerous Gypsies

In its annual report for 1922 the Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce states that 1200 civilian airplanes were operated throughout the United States. Half of these were operated by established companies, with definite financial responsibility, good fields, repair shops, a system of inspection and skilled, experienced pilots. Twelve accidents and injury to seven persons are debited to these companies in the greatest year of flying in American aviation. But the “gypsy” pilots, young, inexperienced men who buy obsolete Government equipment for a few hundred dollars a plane, neglect repairs, fly anywhere and secure passengers where and how they can, have a sorry record of 122 accidents and injury to 100 persons. Poor equipment, lack of inspection, poor piloting and stunting were largely responsible for the mishaps.

The public apparently accepts every machine as airworthy, every pilot as a skilled operator. No Federal or State legislation provides the safeguards available in all other methods of transportation, public or private. The report makes a strong, well justified plea for Congressional action, long urged and indefinitely delayed.