LIMITS TO HUMAN FLIGHT — WIMPERIS 593 



Messrs. Rockefeller and Moore have recently published a forecast 

 that a range of 20,000 km without refuelling may ultimately be 

 attainable. If they are right, we shall attain a range enough to enable 

 every single spot on the earth to be reached from every other — a 

 conclusion which will please those who have neat minds, but alarm 

 those who love solitude. 



SOME REFLECTIONS 



I think it would be fair to say of all of us that our reflections on this 

 intense aeronautical activity are mixed; even confused. There is the 

 view expressed by Lord Trenchard many years ago (Cambridge in 

 1925), that if he had his way he would "abolish the air." The same 

 view was wittily expressed recently by a writer in "Truth" — "What 

 a pity, though, that the Creator, when he made flight so difficult to 

 achieve, did not do the job thoroughly and make it absolutely impos- 

 sible!" But — "Unfortunately, as Adam and Eve learnt to their cost, 

 it is easier to obtain knowledge than to escape from its consequences." 



There is, however, another side to this great question. The fears 

 expressed are largely those engendered by a form of warlike attack 

 against which there is thought to be little or no defense. But the 

 struggle between attack and defense has taken place in all ages, and 

 with all forms of weapon; sometimes the pendulum swings in favor of 

 the one and sometimes in favor of the other. With aircraft, the attack 

 has for years been in the ascendant, the pendulum is even now over 

 on that side; but this I am glad to think is a passing phase, and 

 already the pendulum is on the move. 



May I quote two striking sentences used by Colonel Lindbergh 

 during a recent visit to Germany — "The responsibility which we incur 

 by creating a powerful destructive force is lightened by the knowledge 

 that this force is being controlled by reason and experience, and that 

 we have separated such a force from ignorance. I find hope in the 

 belief that power which goes hand in hand with knowledge will not 

 be a menace to civilization." 



As I suggested by way of comfort at one of our recent meetings, no 

 country can become materially strong in the new Arm of the Air unless 

 there exists in almost limitless degree noble gallantry in its young men, 

 and fine intelligence in the engineers charged with the development 

 and construction of this Arm. Changes now in sight will, I am certain, 

 call in future years for these great qualities even more intensely. 

 And though the qualities of gallantry and fine intelligence may perhaps 

 not be the supreme human qualities, they are, nevertheless, most noble 

 ones, and it is a happy thought that those countries alone which 

 possess them can become great in the strength of the new Air Arm. 



