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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
WASHINGTON

March 12, 1936.

MEMORANDUM TO: Mr. Wirth
Mr. Evison

Big Meadows, Shenandoah National Park, has been used during the past three summers as a base for glider experiments.

Flights from this point have been very successful, which would indicate the advisability of making this field a National Experimental Field for Gliders.

During the periods mentioned, airplanes have landed and taken off from this field.

To make this spot safe for both airplanes and gliders, it would be advisable to build a runway of approximately 4000 feet long and 300 feet wide extending in the direction of prevailing winds.

It will be necessary to remove some of the high spots and fill in the low spots. In addition, to scrape and grade the entire runway to make is as level and flat as possible. This will involve the moving of approximately 25,000 yards of earth and rock, will require the use of one Bulldozer, 1 roadscraper, 1 roller and 1 shovel together with 10 dump trucks, all of which are on hand located in the several camps in Shenandoah National Park, all materials are on the ground, and for this project there will be no additional costs.

In addition to the improvement in the landing field, a hangar should be erected in which to house and store four to six gliders. This building will measure 50 x 60 feet, and may be constructed entirely of timber, of steel or of steel arches with brick walls.

The estimated prices are as follows:
Wood|$7100.00
Steel|8100.00
Steel and brick|10800.00

For the proposed, the $7100 wood hangar would be satisfactory.