TRUNK AIR LINE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 74, 9 January 1936, Page 2

TRUNK AIR LINE

REHEARSAL FLIGHTS DAILY. OFFICIAL OPENING ON WEDNESDAY. Though the official opening of the trunk service betAveen Palmerston North and Dunedin is not till next Wednesday, the de Havilland Expresses of Union Ainvays Avill be flying over the route to time-table from ■ to-mor-row. To-day one of the machines was flown to Palmerston North, and at the schedules times to-morrow it will leave Palmerston North, for the south, and another 'plane Avill leave Christchurch for the north. The north-bound ’plane•cannot leave Dunedin, the southern terminus of. the line, to-morroAV, because the temporary shelter there, which is to be used till the hangar is completed, is not quite ready. The flights betAveen now and next Wednesday will he full-dress rehearsals. The pilots, and co-pilots, Avho have already put in many flying hoifrs on the machines, Avill take advantage of these flights to accustom themselves to every feature of the route, to practise with the wireless—Avith which some work has already been done—and to perfect the detail organisation which is essential to an airline that aims at keeping to schedule. There is nothing haphazard about modern commercial flying, and full details of every flight have to he kept by the pilot as records to help in efficient and economical operation. Refuelling has to be made almost a drill, so that no time is Avasted at stopping places. On the official opening day, January 15, Messrs D. Clive Crozier and P. R. Climie, president and secretary of the Canterbury Aero Club, and A. R. Thompson, manager of the Union Steam Ship Company in Christchurch, Avill join the northbound aeroplane from Dunedin at Christchurch, Avhich Avill be reached soon after 10 a.m. Similar guests have been invited to join the aeroplane at Blenheim. ‘When the ’plane returns in the afternoon, reaching Christchurch about 4.30, there Avill be an official Avelcome by the Canterbury Aero Club. This will take about 10 minutes, and the machine Avill leave immediately for Dunedin. CHRISTENING THE ’PLANES. t / CEREMONY AT PALMERSTON NORTH. WELLINGTON, This Day. The official opening of the Union Ainvays trunk service Avill take place at Palmerston North on January 15, when an official flight Avill be made from Palmerston North, Avith stops at Christchurch and Blenheim. The three De Havilland 86 ’planes will be christened at the function Avhich lias been arranged by the Mayor and councillors of Palmerston North, and the ManaAvatu Aero Club. The christening will hovdone by the Post-master-General (the Hon. F. Jones). Arrangements are being made to cope Avitli a croAvd of from 8000 to 10,000. The trunk service Avill he inaugurated the folloAving day.