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Max Constant

Max Constant, well-known instrument flying instructor, has entered the Bendix Trophy Race and is to fly the Beechcraft Speedster that Jacqueline Cochran used in last year's race when she placed first in the women's division and third in the free-for-all competition. The ship is equipped with the same Wasp Junior, 600 horsepower motor that it had last year.

Constant is a Frenchman but hopes to become an American citizen soon. He explained that he felt the first twinge of approaching old age in 1935, and decided that if he was to enjoy life before the old man with the scythe caught up with him, he had better start. (He will probably feel the same way about the whole thing in 1978.)

Flying is his hobby, and the fact that he can make a living at it simply adds to the pleasure.

He has been in California since 1923, working part of that time as a writer for film studios. His interest in flying is genuine insofar as flying only is concerned, and he thinks it the greatest sport of all for him because he can take it sitting down.

During the World War, when he was seventeen (he probably considered 17 a ripe old age at the time) he flew as an observer in the French Army, and observed enough to form the opinion that flying was fine

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Max Constant, Beechcraft

as a recreation, sport, and for transportation purposes. He found Europe too crowded so came to the United States to have more space to stretch his wings and found that he has better wings to stretch here, the airplanes being superior to the European makes. He also believes that transport flying and equipment here is superior to any in the world, but thinks that flying should be made less expensive and easier for the beginner in order that it could gain more universal appeal.

Constant would like very much to win the Bendix Trophy but is going to have an excellent time just making the trip whether he comes in in the money or not.

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The 1938 Bendix Trophy Race

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each will be flown at a pre-determined altitude at which the individual motor functions the most efficiently. That is for the sake of economy in gasoline consumption and smoothness of operation of the motor.

If the planes were not allowed to use special equipment, much of the purpose of the Bendix Trophy Race would be defeated before the start, because any innovation that tends to speed up a racer would do the same for Commercial Transports and Military Air-planes.

PRIZES

The total purse for the Bendix Trophy Race is $30,000.00, and the Vincent Bendix Trophy. $9,00.00 will go to the winner of first place; $5,000.00 for second place; $3,000.00 for third place; $2,000.00 for fourth place; $2,000.00 for fifth place.

In the event the pilot elects to continue on to Bendix, New Jersey, the winner for the complete distance will receive $1,000.00; second will receive $800.00; third will receive $700.00. This is in addition to what they receive as winners in the flight to Cleveland.

$2,500.00 will be awarded to the woman pilot making the fastest elapsed time between the starting point at Burbank and the finishing point at Cleveland.

The owner of the winning racer, or an Aero Club he may designate, will be awarded possession of the Vincent Bendix Trophy for ten months from the date of the race. The pilot of the airplane winning second place will be awarded, for permanent possession, a silver replica of the Trophy and the pilot of the airplane winning third place will be awarded, for permanent possession, a bronze replica of the Trophy.

Following this summary of the highlights of the Bendix Trophy Race, you will find separate, brief statements concerning the participating aviators. These men and women are among the pioneers of aviation today. They are laying the ground-work for all phases of development in aeronautics. They will join the "Hall of Fame" that already embraces such names as Jimmy Doolittle, Capt. James H. Haizlip, Col. Roscoe Turner, Douglas Davis, Ben O. Howard, Louise Thaden, and a host of others. Some are already well known for their achievements in aviation.