Young man, would you like to know about a virtually unexplored frontier which exists in the world today? There's money and fame to be had. to say nothing of the world-wide public service that could be accomplished in this pioneer venture. Among other benefits which might be derived from this infant field, would be the possibility of the weather men going on a picnic without being rained out!

Weather reporting today leaves much to be desired. Although we know several rules which are believed to be basic and which are supposed to govern the movement of air masses and influence weather, this ball of gas in which we live departs from the rules and conjurs up its own weather so often as to make me believe that even our basic weather rules are faulty.

 

Weather is so important and absolute accuracy could save industry and agriculture so much money, that a true pot of gold is awaiting at the end of any rainbow, accurately predicted. Although much has been done in the past few years toward reporting and forecasting, it has all been accomplished by sticking to a century-old theory of weather and air mass movement. I am convinced, young man, that we do not have the answer yet. And I am equally as certain that for some enterprising youngster with vision, imagination and curiosity, fame and fortune await him for cracking the mystery of weather.

In this land of opportunity, wonderful things do happen. I don't dare break the release date on this information, but I can give you a hint of the astounding success which has come to a former Kosciusko county boy. In my next radio broadcast at 5:45 o'clock Friday afternoon, Dec. 17, over WRSW, I'm going to tell you about President Harry S. Truman, presenting the highest aeronautics award in the world to a man who was born and lived in Kosciusko county. You'll hear much more about this in the next few years. This young man had no money, no formal education, no advantages other than his American heritage of free enterprise and opportunity.

Little by little, the utility of the airplane becomes more useful. Finally opened for the exclusive use of the private pilot or his hired pilot is the wonderful new Chicago lakefront landing strip. It's located on the Northerly Island of Century of Progress fame, 1934-35. The narrow strip of land is actually located off shore in Lake Michigan, but is connected to shore by a peninsula. The landing strip runs north and south and is just east of Soldiers Field, and extends south from the Planetarium. It's within easy walking distance of the loop. Costs a dollar to land there and only two dollars to park your plane for 24 hours. This makes downtown Chicago just one hour away from Warsaw.

Once again I've been honored by an invitation to return to Purdue university for an aviation talk. The morning mail brings a letter from my old friend, Bill Renshaw, of the Flying Farmers, asking me to shoot the breeze to his assembled Indiana Farmers at Purdue, Friday, Dec. 31. I am certainly glad to do it, for farmers own two-thirds of the aircraft in the state of Indiana. They are progressive and the first group to accept new ideas in many instances.

I don't know though, whether the farmers can carry off all the honors or not. Our local electricians are sort of live-wires, too. Did you know that Arnold Chrisenberry, of Atwood, works in Warsaw, soloed an airplane last week; Earl Parker, Warsaw wire twister, is ready to solo any day; Hank Henderson, Winona Lake volt chaser, is racking up a lot of hours on his Ercoupe; Homer Campbell, also of Atwood, has a flying license; and Paul Wolford, maintenance electrician for a local splint factory, flies, too?

I really believe that our schools could render a public service by teaching aeronautics ground courses as a compulsory course for all students; and should add actual supervised flying lessons to their curriculum on a voluntary basis, with credits awarded for solo and private licenses. Full knowledge of the air will be a necessity before you know it!

Warsaw Times Union Tues. Dec. 14, 1948

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