Air Transport News
Page 33
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A PLAN. FOR INTERNAL AIR SERVICES.
AVE have frequently referred to the 'VV need for an officially recognized plan for the development of airports and air services in Great Britain, so as to relate them to matters of national defence (especially with the extra R.A.F. aerodromes that are being established), also to other transport services, geographical conditions, the system of wireless stations, and several other factors. The matter was explained at length in our associated paper, The Aeroplane, on June 20.
The Aerodromes Advisory Board, which has been considering this matter for a year or more, has now submitted proposals to the Air Ministry to survey the country and prepare a plan. The Board is an unofficial body recognized by the Air Ministry, and its members represent the principal professional and technical institutions — aeronautical, engineering, architectural, surveyilig, town planning, etc.
Sir John Thornycroft, incidentally, is one of the two representatives of the Institution of Civil Engineers. If the authorities will charge the Board with this survey, the first step towards coordinated internal air-transport development will have been taken.
The Board is going to set up a site selection committee to assist local authorities, and it will offer help to them when they come to the second stage of site development. Mr. John Dower, A.R.I.B.A., secretary of the A.A.B., has his office at 5, Vernlam Buildings, Gray's Inn, London, W.C.1.
TYPICAL WINTER CHARTERS.
ECENT charter flights made by 1 k011ey Air Service, Ltd., Croydon, give to those interested in air transport a graphic idea of the class of work that is offering at this time of the year. The other day, Capt. G. P. 011ey was requested, by wireless, to fly a Dragon over to Cherbourg in the afternoon, so that a business man arriving from New York on the "Majestic" at dawn next day could reach his office in London by 9 a.m. The Dragon took off
from Cherbourg at 7.30 a.m. and landed at Croydon at 8.30 a.m.
A few days ago 011ey Air Service, Ltd., took a business party from London to Swansea. It left Croydon at 10.30 a.m., and, after completing the business, flew back and landed at 4.30 p.m., so that the party was in London by 5 p.m. The company has recently carried several jockeys and trainers between London and Paris, thus enabling the jockeys to arrange remarkable programmes of engagements and yet to avoid exhausting night travel by train and boat. "
AN AERODROME MOVE IN PEMBROKESHIRE.
AMUNICIPAL aerodrome is to be provided at Haverfordwest (Pembrokeshire) on a site adjoining the racecourse. The Air Ministry has agreed to this project, but has called for a report on the site by an approved aeronautical consultant. The council has accepted the offer of the Automobile Association to survey the site.
NEW AEROPLANE FOR BUSMEN.
A NEW Moth Major—a suitable training and club-flying aeroplane —is being supplied by Brian Lewis and Co., Ltd., Heston, to the flying club for employees of London Transport. This club was started long ago by drivers of the L.G.O.C. buses, and it now has two Gipsy I Moths, one of which is being replaced by the Major Moth.
HEAVY JERSEY BOOKINGS.
AS at December 13, the bookings of Jersey Airways, Ltd., for the following month (until January 13) consisted of 367 advance reservations for the air routes between London, Portsmouth and Jersey. The services from Jersey to the mainland for December 21 were already full up, so that further bookings had to be refused.
Some important developments are nOw being arranged in connection with services from the Channel Islands. UNITY OF ACTION IN AIR TRANSPORT.
AS reported at the time, the Postmaster-General received a deputation, last June, from the London Chamber of Commerce, the Association of British Chambers of Commerce and the Federation of British Industries, which pressed for improved air-mail services.
These bodies have now formed a commercial aviation committee consisting of four delegates from each, so as to ensure that their agreed views may be given the maximum weight when put before the authorities. The secretary is Mr. S. Henderson, of the London Chamber of Commerce, 69-73, Cannon Street, London, E.C.4. The committee held its first meeting on December 12.
PROBLEM OF HULL AIRPORT.
HIILL Corporation, a few years ago, established a municipal airport at Hedon, costing: we believe, £17,000. Now the aerodrome committee is faced with the problem of enlarging the site.
The Royal Netherlands Air Lines (K.L.M.) ran a summer service from Amsterdam to Hull and Liverpool, this year. It is to re-start on April 1 and may continue through next winter. There is also talk of a daily service between London and Scotland, .calling at Hull, and of a service from Hull to Southampton.. The problem is whether to move the railway or the road on the north and south sides respectively, or to choose a new site.
Probably the best solution will be another, bigger site on the Hedon side of the city, and if the corporation leaves the matter too long, the price of land and, perhaps, building developments, will increase the difficulty.
A SITE PURCHASED AT PERTH.
IkREMBERS of Perth Town Council 1V1have inspected the 170-acre site for the proposed municipal aerodrome recently purchased at Scone. The finance committee has agreed to recommend the council to appoint a special committee to investigate the whole matter,