A Pioneer Air-taxi Concern
Page 51
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A IR TAXIS, LTD., k-was formed in 1926 and began operations at Stag Lane Aerodrome, Edgware, with two de Hal:Wand Dii9 (Pumae n gined) :machines. Other machines of this make were added and, with the development of flying for the newspaper companies, the company bought a Martinsyde which had a range of six hours and a cruising . speed of 105 m.p.h. The enterprise thus shown may have been the origin of the contracts for Press work on a retainiag-fee basis which the company has since held.
The Policy has been to keep the fleet up to date. It normally comprises six machines, and at present there are four Puss. Moths, a Hawk Moth and two Comper Swifts. A Dragon will shortly be added. Arrangements kist for extra pilots and machines to he ready When 'required. " To meet Press reqUifernents the staff is available by releptione,bay and night. and at shoit.-not*P-.. 'a machine and pilot are ready to-Atalie for any deft-' tination within three ccintinents.
One newspaper contract was re
cently extended for a further three years, making a, seven-year connection, whilst another completely new contract was signed not long ago. Ordinary charter rates are from Is. per mile for a Puss Moth which, in view of the organization offered, does not appear high.
One of the longest trips undertaken was. to Addis Ababa, Abyssinia, for which only 24 hours' notice was given. Another long trip was made for the Press in connection with a royal visit to Kenya ; for this Capt. Hope had a Gipsy Moth, equipped with tanks giving a 20 hours' range. The flight to Addis Ababa was made in record time.
Capt. Hope has. amongst other interesting flights, flown non-stop from Vienna to London and three times nonstop between London and Rome. His methods of navigation are orthodox, and he is one of the comparatively few pilots outside the regular air lines to practise blind flying. In this wireless is a great help, as are the PB deviators with which the fleet is equipped.
On every trip Capt. Hope's instruments include an Addison Luard course and wind calculator, a protractor, 'a pair of dividers and a circular slide tide engraved with the various constants for metrie conversions. Following the sale of Stag Lane aerodrome, activities are being centred on Croydon.