Air Transport News
Page 38
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'Varsity Express" CambridgeSouthsea Air Service?
We have good reason to believe that Varsity Express Motors, Ltd., Regent Street, London, W.1, the wellknown operator of coach services from London to the University towns, is seriously considering the inauguration of an air service from Cambridge to Fouthsea, via Birmingham and Oxford. The route would take the form of an bre and it is probable that De HariRand )Jragan aircraft would be employed. The municipal authorities of Cambridge and Birmingham have had sites for aerodromes inspected, Oxford has displayed interest in such a project, whilst there is an airport at Portsmouth.
A Company Formed in Essex.
A private company, called Commercial Airways (Essex), Ltd., with a nominal capital of £1,250, was recently registered, the objects being to establish air lines from Loughton Aerodrome, Abridge, Essex.
• The managing director is Mr. W. J. Lewington, of Waltham Cross, the other directors being Mr. W. R. Bannister (Cheshunt), Mr. H. S. Linwood (Edmonton), Mr. G. Lewington (Enfield Wash) and Mr. N. Kilian (Enfield Wash).
Galway Airport Scheme.
A 0,000,000 scheme for the provision of an extensive harbour and aerodrome at Galway is being considered by the Irish Transatlantic Corporation, Ltd. Sir Alan Cobham has examined the site and recommends, in his report (placed this week before the High Commissioners in London for the Irish Free State and for Canada, as well as before the Air Ministry), that a part of Loch Rusheen, a tidal estuary, be reclaimed to form the aerodrome.
It is understood that Imperial Airways officials are visiting the site, and discussions are proceeding with the Royal Dutch Air Lines and with Manchester Corporation.
The idea is to shorten the time of 3324
transit for passengers and mails by sea between Europe and America ; Manchester, of course, would be important as an intermediary point in the air service across Great Britain.
Dirmingham-Skegness Service.
Activities are taking place at the Skegness aerodrome of the Skegness and East Lincolnshire Aero Club. At Easter a week's trial will probably be given to a service between Birmingham and Skegness, via Nottingham and Leicester, and this route may be regularly operated through he summer.
Galway-Dublin Proposals, A Monospar machine has been acquired by Western (Irish) Air Transport Co., Ltd., which concern plans to commence to-day a regular week-cud service between Galway and Dublin.
Iona National Airways, another Irish concern, is proposing to operate between these towns daily during the summer.
I.F.S. Air Ministry?
Rumours are heard in Ireland that a Department of Civil Aviation may shortly be established by the Irish Free State Government. As things are at present, military aviation is controlled by the Ministry of Defence and civil aviation by the Transport and Marine Branch of the Department of Industry and Commerce.
A Scottish Company Formed.
A few days ago Midland and Scottish Air Ferries, Ltd., was registered in Edinburgh as a private company, with a nominal capital of £20,000, the objects including the operation of aircraft. Mr. John C. Sword and Mrs. Christina G. Sword, of Craigwell, Ayr, are directors. Airspeed Ferries and D.H. Dragons will probably be used.
It is understood that the activities of this company are separate from those of the aircraft department of the Scottish Motor Traction Ca., Ltd., of which Mr. Sword is the western manager. Ambitious Aviation Plans of SALT. Co. Revealed.
With the acquisition of a further 16 aeroplanes, which are in the course of delivery, the Scottish Motor Traction Co., Ltd., Edinburgh, ultimately intends to provide a 24-hour service for travel to any part of the world..
Meanwhile, machines will be available for private hire, for commercial purposes or for pleasure flights. Twelve of the machines will be of De Ifavilland make, comprising two Fox Moth speed models, six Fox Moth standard types, a Tiger Moth and three Dragon Moths. The first-named aircraft are specially equipped with wireless-receiving apparatus, and have a range of 604 miles.
The Tiger Moth will be used for advertising purposes, and is specially adapted for aerobatics and display work. The Dragon Moth six-seaters have electrically illuminated cabins, and are licensed for smoking. The seats are of the armchair type, whilst the machine will remain in the air for seven hours (equal_ to 700 miles of travel). 'Four Avro aircraft, of the modified Cadet design, which will carry two passengers in addition to the pilot, are also being purchased.
Paper on Aerodrome Construction.
Before members of the Institution of Civil Engineers in London on Tuesday, Mr. R. A. Lewis-Dale, M.B.E., IkLinst.C.E., presented a paper on "The Constructionof Aerodromes."
He said that the number of established civil and military aerodromes in this country does not exceed about 100. and that, of the 35 civil aerodromes for public use, four are Government-owned, 10 municipally-awned, four owned by clubs, and 17 privately-owned. Two important points arising in the paper and the subsequent discussion were the following :—First, shortened landing and take-off runs, whilst useful in emergency, will not reduce aerodrome sizes, because of the rapidly increasing traffic volume. Secondly, increased traffic will probably mean the inadequacy Of turf as a surface.