The Aerodrome Problem Commercial Airways Considered at Congress of Scottish
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Tramways and Transport Associati n. Col. H. lialt n Henderson's Paper on Municipal Aersdromes. Air Services Available at the Conference AT most of the general functions and meetings of transport men that have taken place during the past few months in connection with the various institutes and associations in this country, the subject of commercial aviation has cropped up. It is quite Certain that, this spring, practically all astute men concerned in transport have been giving commercial aviation serious thought. In particular, municipal officials are realizing that there ought tobe many more municipal aerodromes in this country than at present, and that opportunities not seized in the near future will be altogether lost.
Om of the two papers arranged to be read at the Gleneagles Conference of the Scottish Tramways and Transport Association, which was held last week, had for its subject that of municipal aerodromes. It was read by Col. H. Dalton Henderson, C.B.F., D.S.O., convener of Perth Corporation's transport committee.
Those attending the conference did . mot take full advantage of the air-travel facilities afforded by Scottish air-transport operators, notably Scottish Motor Traction, Ltd., and Midland and Scottish Air Ferries, Ltd. Some people arrived at Gleneagles by aeroplane, and we venture to predict that, at the next conference, the number using this form of travel will be very much greater.
As regards Col. Henderson's paper, he commenced by saying that, 21 years ago, he stated that within five years multi cipal aerodromes would be provided generally throughout the country, and apparently it was this remark that resulted in the present paper being read. Col. Henderson referred to journals of the Institute of British Architects, from which he had obtained information showing that Great Britain is a long way behinth other countries in almost everything that concerns civil aviation.
He referred to the paper read on March 21 at the Institution of 'Civil Engineers by Mr. H. A. Lewis-Dale, 31.B.E., M.lnst.C.E., on. " The Construction of Aerodromes" (this was reported in The Commercial Motor) and commended this to municipal officials as an excellent treatise on the subject.
Col, Henderson seems to have discovered " The Air Pilot," and from it to have prepared a map showing this country's aerodromes, which greatly interested his audience. He has found that there are, at present, about 100 aerodromes of all kinds in this country, and, to bring our inland services up to a reasonable standard of efficiency, we require
at least 200 more, the ahn being to reach the generally accepted standard of (am aerodrome in every '20 Miles on each established route.
Col. Henderson thought one should expect a fairly large number of these to be at least municipally owned, if not municipally operated. The trouble, he said. is to find a suitable site within the numicipal boundary of any town.
In some cases, two towns have had to co-operate; he referred to Leeds and Bradford, and to the negotiations between Gloucester and Cheltenham. He thought these examples will be followed, but would much sooner see each town with its own aerodrome, either within, or at least near to, its own boundary. lie gave the instance of London, surrounded by aerodromes all too far away from the town centre, and quoted Mr. Lewis-Dale as having considered it improbable that airports using large machines will ever be generally built on railway-station or other roofs.
Instancing Staverton, the site favoured_ between Gloucester and Cheltenham,. Col. Henderson said how Much more useful would be an aerodrome near Cheltenham racecourse and another near Gloucester cricket ground. He went on to emphasise this point of reducing the necessary road journey between an aerodrome and the town it serves.
The paper then went on to deal with aerodrome requirements, giving a clearrun figure of 600 yds. and an area of about 150-200 acres as reasonable minima. After discussing other requirements, it proceeded to aerodrome layout, referring to the impressiveness of certain Continental examples, such as those at Berlin or Munich.
The question of income for the municipal landlord was then discussed, and it was admitted that very little can be expected out of landing fees, also that the rent of hangars may not bring in much -revenue. A good rent ought to be B36
obtained, however, from a well-laid-out and attractive restaurant, properly supervised.
Apart from this, several other incidental amenities will call for accommodation, for which a fair rent may be expected. Repair shops for servicing air
frames and engines of operating companies constitute an important item.
Reference was made to the • paper, "' Municipal and Other Aerodromes," read by Mr. L. P. Winters before the Bristol and district section of the Institute of Transport on February 7. In this, some of the subsidiary activities at
Heston Airport were enumerated, such as the flying club, the flying school, three independent sales organizations, anT;aviation insurance office, aircraft-operatin't concerns and an engineering coMpany. There is also, of course, the sale of petrol, which Col. Henderson thought municipalities would wish to keep in their own hands.
Referring to his map of aerodromes, the author was astonished to find that Scotland has not a single municipal airport, and he urged every town represented on the Scottish Trarnivays and Transport Association to give the question serious thought.
It may be remembered that The Commercial Motor published on March 17 a map showing that there were then only 13 towns in Great Britain having licensed municipal aerodrome, these being Blackpool, Bristol, Cardiff, Hull, Ipswich, Leeds and Bradford, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Plymouth, Bournemouth, Southampton and Stoke. Since then there has been a measurable awakening of interest in this matter.
The paper was concluded by an expression of hope that landing and takeoff runs may, in the near future, be very much shortened, the possibilities of the rotating plane in place of the fixed wing being particularly mentioned.
There is reason to believe that Scottish municipal men are becoming more alive to the possibilities of regular and private-charter air services, and conversations have shown that the time saved by the Inverness-Orkney service of Highland Airways, Ltd., as compared with surface travel, has considerably impressed a good many Scottish public officials.
Air transport matters were much under discussion at the conference, and Mr. Sword's activities (he being the managirv, director of Midland and Scottish 'Air Ferries, Ltd.), as well as those of Scottish Motor Traction, Ltd., were referred to as showing that the matter is being taken seriously by well-7 , informed business men.