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ALDWORTH (CONT'D)

Comparatively but little time has passed since a commercial airport consisted of any open space where aircraft landed, the pilot hoping and sometimes praying that no ditches, hidden stumps or gopher holes would be encountered and the airplane, or what then was considered an airplane, was wrecked. Presently, there were more aircraft and, in my opinion, irresponsible operators of both aircraft and airports cause many fatalities. Some intelligent yet simple rules were required in order that danger to the public might be averted. I felt a need for safety regulations and sponsored and pressed for passage state laws requiring the licensing of airports and aircraft operators.

Because of the number of aircraft even then operating at Newark and the necessity that something immediately be done to obviate possible colision, the extremely simple system of a stationary light was used at night, and a flag during the daylight hours, for signalling purposes. Aircraft were required to proceed a certain distances after landing before a turn on the ground was made. There was no way to positively designate either visually or orally, which airplane had the right of way.

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