During the past year progress in civil aeronautics has been remarkable.
This is to a considerable degree due to the wise assistance of the Federal
Government through the establishment and maintenance of airways by the
Department of Commerce and the mail contracts from the Post Office
Department. The Government-improved airways now exceed 25,000 miles--more
than 14,000 miles of which will be lighted and equipped for night-flying
operations by the close of the current year. Airport construction through
all the States is extremely active. There are now 1,000 commercial and
municipal airports in operation with an additional 1,200 proposed for early
development.
Through this assistance the Nation is building a sound aviation system,
operated by private enterprise. Over 6,400 planes are in commercial use,
and 9,400 pilots are licensed by the Government. Our manufacturing capacity
has risen to 7,500 planes per annum. The aviation companies have increased
regular air transportation until it now totals 90,000 miles per
day--one-fourth of which is flown by night. Mail and express services now
connect our principal cities, and extensive services for passenger
transportation have been inaugurated, and others of importance are
imminent. American air lines now reach into Canada and Mexico, to Cuba,
Porto Rico, Central America, and most of the important countries of South
America.