CIVIL AVIATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 84, 20 January 1930, Page 5

CIVIL AVIATION.

NEW COMMERCIAL CRAFT.

BRITISH AIR MINISTRY'S PLANS

(United Press Association— Copyright.) LONDON, January 18. It is understood that this year's estimates of the Air Ministry will provide for increased expenditure on civil aviation, largely lor flying, boat development, and the subsidising of new commercial airways. The extension of inland lines is under consideration If an agreement can be reached with tne Irish Free State, a regular service to Belfast and Dublin will be opened. Jn addition, negotiations have been going on xecarding the inauguration ol a regular living boat line between -Norway and Sweden and either .the mouth cf'the Thames or some suitable port on the east coast. . - I The Air Ministry,, it is stated unornciallv has decided also to develop laro-e commercial flying boats, tome of these are already on the stocks, while others will be laid down during the coming financial year. Although these new aeroplanes will be of experimental tvpes, they will,, if their rivals are sueessful, be built in considerable numbers. They will be all-metal, and some of them will be able to carry between 40 and 50 passengers. I heir rancre will be of about 1000 miles One of the first to hfi launched will have accommodation for 50 passengers, and if the present intention ot equipping it with six Napier engines is followed, it will be driven by over 4000 horsepower. It is expected that this vessel will be tried out on tlie first stages of the Cape-Cairo airway, which will have been opened next year.—British Official Wireless.

INDIAN AIR SERVICES.

TO BE EXTENDED TO CALCITTA

DELHI, January 18

Following the successful inauguration of the air service between Karachi and Delhi, the service is being extended shortly from Delhi to Ca - cutta, and later to Rangoon. It will carry only mail matter for the present. . . ~ The Government is acquiring tnreeentrined aeroplanes, with British pilots and Indian assistants. The latter are training in England.

TESTING THE RIOO.

SUCCESSFUL SPEED TRIALS. LONDON, January 1". The airship RIOO, which left Cardington shortly after 9 o'clock, yesterday morning with 58 persons on board, was moored at Cardington mast late last night after a flight of nearly Ida hours. During the early part of the flight speed trials were carried out, which were quite successful, an estimated speed of 81.5 miles per hour beine attained for the greater part o the dav. The ship flew at a height of °OOO feet above thick fog and low clouds which generally obscured the m-ound Her nositions were obtained by means" of wireless telegraphy when required. ~. „. , . The main purpose of the flight was to run the shin nt full speed in order to test the envelope. An experimental svrtem of attachment was adopted, which, it is hoped, may save as much as four tonadn weight m future ships. High winds were encountered durino- the flitrht, but the speed attained was the highest yet recorded by an airship.' She Returned in the. darkness to Cardington against a wind which was blowing at -10 miles an hour, and although low clouds permitted onlv momentary glimpses of, the ground. The operation of Inching her home Oil the masthead occupied only 22 minutes.