of complete weather information. Not that airplanes are frail craft and can’t ride out a storm, but that they are so peculiarly competent to take advantage of meteorological opportunities and avoid hazards.
A ship has to plow on its course, whatever the storm conditions. Aircraft may sometimes dodge a storm or adverse wind by flying at an altitude at which conditions are favorable. For instance, almost always if a high enough altitude is attained, the wind is westerly in our latitude, whatever its direction on the ground.
In his book “Skyward,” Commander Byrd says: “I now think that the America (his transatlantic Fokker monoplane) could conquer almost any storms that might be met in crossing the Atlantic. The only ocean condition that need be serious for the planes of the future is the hurricane, which might exhaust the fuel supply.”
He speaks of the planes of today. Large, they are, many of them weighing tons. What the size and weight and strength of the aircraft of tomorrow will be, is guesswork.
Most experienced pilots agree with him. And Byrd, remember, is speaking after an Atlantic crossing. Before he flew, the Weather Bureau gave him the best information possible. He required a westerly wind to push him toward his goal and thus augment his fuel supply. Even with the sketchy data available, he got what was promised him—though there were unexpected conditions thrown
