National Affairs: In a Gala Scuttle

No one knew how long the Berlin airlift would be needed. From the strictly economic viewpoint, the operation has been likened to carrying coal in a gold scuttle. But the U.S. Air Force last week took a step that was unmistakably businesslike. At the airbase at Great Falls, Mont., it opened a replacement training school for airlift pilots. A “little corridor” will be laid out on the surrounding plains, matching the 20-mile-wide lanes into Berlin. Traffic controls and communications will duplicate those in Germany. Training will include night and all-weather flying.

The Air Force was missing no bets. In a deal with the airlines, it offered temporary jobs in the Berlin airlift to commercial pilots laid off during the slack winter season. It expected 100 to 200 experienced C-54 pilots to accept. It was also dickering for the return of 40 C-54s leased to the airlines at war’s end.