Aviation Act of 1917

Aviation Act of 1917 was a United States military appropriations bill authorizing a temporary increase for the United States Army Signal Corps. The Act of Congress authorized provisions for airship or dirigible operations governed by the U.S. Army Signal Corps Aeronautical Division. The legislation provided United States President Woodrow Wilson emergency authority for the maintenance, manufacture, operation, purchase, and repair of airships and associated aerial machines.

Sections of the Act
In an attempt to meet the progressive necessities of World War I, House bill 5326 was penned as ten sections by the United States 65th Congressional session.


 * Sec. 1 – Temporary Increase of Army Signal Corps and Aviation Sections


 * Sec. 2 – Additional Commissioned Personnel Authorized
 * Qualifications
 * Appointments by U.S. President
 * Appointments by U.S. President and Senate


 * Sec. 3 – Additional Enlisted Men by Enlistment or Draft
 * Age limit for men drafted
 * Chauffeur grades created
 * Chauffeur pay and rank


 * Sec. 4 – Organization of Tactical Units
 * Headquarters and detachment units


 * Sec. 5 – General Officers Appointed for Staff and Other Duties
 * Temporary appointments for created vacancies


 * Sec. 6 – Rating of Aviators and Aeronauts
 * Certificates of qualifications
 * Examinations
 * Ratings for service requirements
 * Exceptions in war time
 * Aeronauts rank increase
 * Flight duty financial compensation


 * Sec. 7 – Ratings of Enlisted Mechanicians
 * Balloon mechanicians compensation


 * Sec. 8 – U.S. Army Comprehensive Compensation
 * U.S. Army troop strength levels


 * Sec. 9 – Emergency Authority for Airships and Aerial Machines
 * Buildings and motor vehicles
 * Aviation stations
 * Sites and buildings
 * Use of public lands
 * Improvements of sites
 * Buildings and structures
 * Water, lights, and plumbing
 * Roads and wharves
 * Subsistence equipments
 * Fuel supplies
 * Construction machinery and tools
 * Special clothing
 * Domestic and abroad travel expenses
 * Vocational training
 * Compensation for reserve officers and enlisted personnel called into service
 * Pay accounts
 * Development of airplanes and engines
 * Manufacturing plants maintenance
 * Schools for aviation technical instructions
 * New equipment exchanges
 * Foreign instructors travel compensation within the United States


 * Sec. 10 – Appropriation

Associated United States Federal Statutes
United States legislation for the governance, service, and training of airships designed and developed for military operations.