AIR TRANSPORT NEWS
Page 59
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GRAVESEND LEAST AFFECTED BY FOG.
The results of last winter's observations of the incidence of fog at aerodromes serving London. are now available. The Air Ministry arranged for these observations to be made simultaneously at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. at Croydon, Gravesend, Gatwick and Heston Airports. The result, not altogether unexpected, is that Croydon, during last winter at any rate, was most frequently in fog. Gravesend Airport was by far the least affected.
When the observations are expressed on a percentage basis the records show that' for every 100 occasions of fog at Croydon, there were 75 at Heston. 65 at Gatwick and 35 at Gravesend.
Loss of Prominent Air-transport Protagonist.
The accident at the R.A.F. Display, at Hendon, on June 30, has robbed the Great Western Railway Co. of one of its most air-minded officers. Sq.-Ldr. S. B. Collett was an assistant secretary to the company, and it was largely as the result of his insistence that the G.W.R. started its Plymouth-CardiffBirmingham air service early in 1933.
This spring the service has been extended to Liverpool, and the other railway companies and Imperial Airways, Ltd., have been brought into a plan for air-line development. There are other railway developments in aviation just about to take place; of these we shall be at liberty to disclose more details shortly.
HP42 to Make a European Cruise.
The Commercial Motor has frequently drawn attention to the likely development of pleasure cruises by air, not so much in this country as to places within comfortable reach abroad. Airtransport operators possessing suitable aircraft should keep the possibilities in mind.
One of the Heracles-type or HP42 liners of Imperial Airways, Ltd., with seats for 38 passengers, is to start a cruise on July 21. It has been chartered by the Polytechnic Touring Association, and in the course of nearly 3,000 miles it will visit Berlin, Vienna, Budapest and Rome. The cruise will occupy 14 days, and the stays will be amply long for unhurried visits to these interesting capitals.
The R.A.F. and S.B.A.C. Displays. The year's two leading displays of flying in Great Britain have been held at Hendon Aerodrome, London, in the past week, that of the Royal Air Force on June 30, and that of the Society of British Aircraft Constructors on July 2. Both were attended by fine weather. The former, unfortunately, was marred by an accident which caused the death of Sq.-Ldr. S. B. Collett. Otherwise it was very successful.
From the commercial point of view more interest attaches to the S.B.A.C. display which was attended by hundreds of important personalities in commercial and military aviation from practically every important country in the world. Even the chief of the Red Army Force, M. Alksniss, and a number of other Russians, were present to watch the performance of British military and civil aircraft. The new de Havilland Delphinius (G—ACPL) with four Gipsy Six engines, the new Short Scion, the Avro 642 (G—ACFV), the latest Sam o Cloud and the new Monospar and Percival machines were among the civil types demonstrated.
Wireless Installations in Progress.
Two-way radio is being fitted by Airwork. Ltd., to eight aircraft. These include two Ford Tr-motors operated by the British Air Navigation Co., Ltd. (one its own property and one chartered from the Ford Motor Co., Ltd.), four Dragons (one belonging to Banco, one to Messrs. Wrightson and Pearse and two -to Jersey Airways, Ltd.), one Stinson (the property of Mr. Irving, of parachute fame), and one Avro Commodore recently purchased by Mr. W. Westhead.
A London-Paris Alteration.
In response to many requests Imperial Airways, Ltd., has decided to introduce a week-day service from Paris to London at 5.45 p.m. from Airway Terminus, Paris, and 6.30 p.m. from Le Bourget. The alteration is already in force. The 4.15 p.m. service from Airway Terminus, Paris, is at present being e run only. on Sundays, and the machine will call at Berck (for Le Touquet) on Sundays until September 16.
A Useful Handbook.
The 1934 edition of "Who's Who in British Aviation" has just been published by Bunhill Publications, Ltd., 112, Bunhill Row, London, E.C.1, and is an improvement on previous editions. The alphabetical index of personalities in aviation continues to be the principal section. It is followed by information about Air Ministry and R.A.F. personnel.
There is a list of companies operating air lines in Great Britain, which, due to the rapid developments, is already out of date. There is also a list of
other commercial operators. Lightaeroplane clubs of the British Empire are tabulated, and there is a useful trade directory. A. new feature this year is a list of " B " pilots. Another useful item is a list of service and civil aerodromes.
REDUCED LONDON-BELFAST AND LONDON-GLASGOW FARES.
Midland and Scottish Air Ferries, Ltd., announces substantial fare reductions on its routes between London and Glasgow and Belfast, which commenced operation on April 9.
The London-Liverpool fares are now 23 single and 24 5s. return ; previously they were 23 10s. single and 25 5s. return. The London-Glasgow fares are 25 5s. single and 28 10s. return (previously £6 10s. and 210 10s. respectively). The London-Isle of Man fares are 24 and £6 5s. (against 25 and £7 15s.).
The London-Belfast fares are 25 and 28 (against £6 and £10). The London-Paris fares of Hillmans Airways, Ltd. (on the service which connects with the lines to the north), remain at 23, 10s. single and 25 10s. return, with special week-end tickets at 24 15s. and Sunday tickets at 24 5s.
Both lines are now operated from the new Essex Airport of Hillmans Airways, Ltd., at Stapleford Abbots, within quick and easy reach of central London. This big aerodrome has wireless, Customs and passport facilities, servicing staff and excellent restaurant arrangements.
Spithead Ferry's 1,000 Passengers per Week.
The air ferry operated by Portsmouth, Southsea and Isle of Wight Aviation, Ltd., between Portsmouth, Ryde and Shanklin is now carrying over 1,000 single-journey passengers weekly. The figure for the week to June 28 was 1,006. The same company's London (Heston)-Isle of Wight service carried 101. passengers, showing no appreciable difference on account of the reduced fares which Spartan Air Lines, Ltd., and Railway Air Services, Ltd., have just introduced on their joint service on the London (Croydon)-Isle of Wight -line. The P.S.I.o.W.A., Ltd:, made several charter flights during the week to various places, including Blaciipool, London, Paris, etc.
The Liverpool-Hull-Amsterdam Line.
The K.L.M. daily air service between Liverpool, Hull and Amsterdam has rim with 100-per-cent. regularity since it started on June 1. Passenger, ffeight and (on the Hull-Amsterdam section) mail traffic have not been disappointing, considering the conservative attitude of the north country towards ordinary -travel by air.
-Hull and Liverpool municipalities are making efforts to learn the terminal needs of a commercial service of this kind and a party of Liverpool officials • has flown to the Continent to study airport management at certain big towns.