Hi Brent, What a nice piece of history. funny how in some ways it's so similar to the sectionals we use today. But how is it that happen to have a sectional that's that old? Is there more of it than what you posted in the JPG? Regarding rejuvenation, that's not my plan. Mainly because of cost. However, the museum in Wendover has that on their list of things to do. So maybe we'll see one working out that way one day. patrick On 30 Aug 2013, at 08:40, Brent Watson wrote:
I finally pulled out my July 22, 1943 Salt Lake City sectional aeronautical chart to look at the airway beacon locations. I photographed it and put the photo out in Photobucket. It is a large file in order to preserve detail. You can access it here:
http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n534/brentjwatson/1943SLCSectional.jpg
A couple of things stand out. First, there are more lighted beacons than show on the first map I posted. Rotating beacons are shown by a star with an open circle. Flashing beacons are shown by a smaller star that is filled in completely. The locations shown as "x" on the other map seem to correspond to the flashing beacons.
2. The beacon near Grantsville is placed there because there was an airport there. That is the meaning of the circle surrounding the star. That is why it is bypassed on the route arrows.
3. There are two beacon locations near Lakepoint - 61A and 61B. 61B was near Saltair and was the beacon that flashed the Morse Code ID (. - -). Supposedly, the beacons flashed their ID with a separate set of lights to identify them for pilots. They flashed a coded number between 1 and 10, but used the letters W, U, V, H, R, K, D, B, G, or M, representing th numbers from 1 to 10. Beacon 61 would flash Morse code for 1, W which is . - -, the leading digit is omitted. Pilots would remember this sequence by memorizing the mnemonic device When Navigating Very Hard Routes Keep Directions By Good Means.
4. There was a flashing beacon just southwest of Tooele, but no airport is shown at Tooele. Next in line is Stockton, then a flashing beacon a Rush (Valley).
5. There were two beacons east of Salt Lake. One is lower in elevation, and the one I remember watching as a kid is on top of the mountain just north of the mouth of Emigration Canyon. They both flashed the Morse Code "M" for 0. I assume this was for the approach into the Salt Lake City airport.
6. There was also a radio marker beacon (outer marker) at the beacon located at mile marker 62.
7. The Lucin airport is not on the chart. It was not in operation in 1943.
8. There is a railroad going from the Salt Lake Valley to Alta.
Those are just a couple of observations.
Patrick, if you are going to rejuvenate one of the arrows, why not include the beacon as a part of it. I suggest the Lakepoint arrow. I know where there is a tower with most of the beacon in tact. The state of Montana still maintains theirs and may be a source for parts or information. How cool would it be to see one of these treasures operating nearby!