Commercial Development and Aircraft W HATEVER may be the outcome of
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the World Economic Conference it is abundantly clear that those parts of the earth which are now "commercialized" offer a steady but somewhat restricted market. Owing to the increased productivity of modern industry we must look to other regions for entirely new trade if we are to progress; if we do not move forwards to financially better things we shall be forced to accept a lower standard of living. In the search for markets the commercial aeroplane is bound to be a key. It is in those areas which have to be opened up that no transport exists ; here the aeroplane steps in to effect the initial survey work, to carry specialists to the site of their labour—it may be daily, from a distant established base—and to bring up food and supplies to those who remain on the new ground. In olden times the line of communication was established at great cost and it was inherently Inflexible; to-day aircraft can be operated almost anywhere and be called by isolated parties so that urgent needs can be met within a few hours. In pioneering work of this description the cost may well be halved by the use of fast, flexible and cheap means for transport, capable of ignoring many surface obstacles.
As matters progress overland transit can be established, either wheeled road vehicles or track-laying cross-country machines being used. To-day the prohibitive cost of railroad building and operation would ensure a big market for commercial motors. Thus does the aeroplane offer assistance to the road vehicle; the two are complementary and will be even more so in the future.