AIR TRANSPORT NEWS
Page 53
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THE AIRCRAFT INDUSTRY IN SCOTLAND.
The geographical advantage, in view of modern methods of warfare, of the West of Scotland for sites for factories is pointed out in the second interim report of the Aviation Committee of the Scottish National Development Council. It has to be remembered, the report states, that aircraft manufacture is divided into two entirely different sections—airframes and engines.
So far as the manufacture of airframes, both for aeroplanes and for flying-boats, was concerned, Scotland appeared to operate under no serious handicap, although, owing to the largo potential output of existing companies in other parts of Britain, new Scottish companies would probably find considerable difficulty in securing a foot* hold in the market. The production of aero engines was a very specialized industry and called for the expenditure of large sums of money for research and experiment.
It was encouraging to learn that, notwithstanding these difficulties, G. and J. Weir, Ltd., Cathcart, Glasgow, was now testing the first of the small Autogiros being built at its works. Not only had this Scottish company designed the airframe for that particular product, but it had also developed an entirely new 45 h.p. engine for use with it.
The committee again draws attention to the natural advantages of the Firth of Clyde for the manufacture of large flying-boats and points out the delay in setting up such industries. The hope is expressed that the valuable pioneer work of Midland and Scottish Air Ferries, Ltd., will not be wasted, and the report also deals with the necessity of providing suitable landing. grounds throughout Scotland.
From Race to Race by Air.
011ey Air Service, Ltd., has undertaken recently quite a number of charter flights for people interested in horse racing. Last week-end jockeys and trainers were flown in a de Havilland Dragon to Paris for the Arc de Triomphe race on Sunday afternoon. They were flown back on Monday morning and taken straight to the Nottingham meeting, where some of them took part in the first race at 1.30 p.m.
Another charter this week has been to Gloucester, Plymouth, Barnstaple, etc. Also a job for which 011ey Air Service. Ltd., is engaged every few months was carried out. This consisted of collecting the directors of an international company from places near their various homes in the South of England, taking them to board meetings and conferences in Paris, Brussels, etc., and bringing them home again. This journey, made easily by air in about two days, would occupy nearly a week if surface transport were employed.
Campbeltown and Islay Air Services.
The CampbeItown and Islay air service, the last to be operated by Midland and Scottish Air Ferries, Ltd., since Mr. Sword's decision to close down, was discontinued on September 29, when a final flight from Renfrew took place. The company's English services were concluded on July 15. The machines owned by the company will be sold as soon as possible. Mr. John C. Sword, the founder of the company, is meantime maintaining an air ambulance and a pilot for emergency calls from the Western Isles.
A woman patient was conveyed on September 30 by air ambulance from Port Charlotte, Islay, to the Glasgow Western Infirmary.
Weather Broadcasts from Heston.
Air-transport operators and others who have listened to the regular weather reports from the Air Ministry radio station at Heston Airport should note that, as from a few days ago, these reports and navigational warnings are being issued on a wavelength of 1,186 metres. This is due to interference from a foreign station on the previous wavelength of 1,203 metres. The weather broadcasts at Heston were instituted by the Automobile Association two or three years ago, and were taken over by the Ministry.
INCREASED TRAFFIC FOR L.S.P. AIRWAYS.
In the seven weeks up to the week ended September 22, London, Scottish and Prrivincial Airways, Ltd., carried respectively the following numbers of single-stage passengers on its LeedsNottingham-London-Paris twice-daily air service: 8, 9, 24, 35, 56, 76, 99. Stage passengers are calculated so that, for example, a Leeds-Paris return trip counts as six stages. From August 18 to September 22, four services between Leeds and Paris were cancelled on account of weather, and three for mechanical reasons. The corresponding London-Paris figures are not available.
Very few holiday passengers have been carried, and the flight from Leeds to London, frequently made in 1 hr. 20 mins., appeals to the business man who can leave Leeds at 10 a.m. and be in London at noon, or in Paris for a late lunch. An encouraging feature is the way passengers have repeated their use of the service. The figures show that traffic is building up satisfactorily. Traffic has had to be created, as passengers are not taken from other services.
An autumn schedule has just come into force, giving two daily services each way between Leeds and London and one between London and Paris.
Poole Aerodrome Proposal.
Bournemouth and Poole Councils are trying to choose between alternative aerodrome sites to serve the two towns. One is behind Shell Bay, and another is a large area of common on the boundaries of the two boroughs.
Croydon Company's Record Month.
Commercial Air Hire, Ltd., which specializes in the charter of aeroplanes to the air-transport trade, reports that September proved a record month since She company's formation early this year. In the week to October 7 this concern's Dragons flew 5,000 miles on various trade charters. In addition to this they transported 10,000 lb of freight to Paris, including the earlymorning newspapers.