INTELLIGENT AIR TRAVEL

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 224, 21 September 1929, Page 16 (Supplement)

INTELLIGENT AIR TRAVEL

THE URGE OF PROGRESS. INCREASING BUSINESS USE. FAMOUS FLYER'S COMMENTS. (By COL. CHARLES A. LINDBERGH.) Public confidence' has created a demand for airci'aft and air transport that is rapidly making the industry one of the most, important in the field of modern transportation.; With the development of the aeroplane the words' "unknown" and "inaccessible" will bo removed from our geographies, and the scientific experiments of the Wrights will become a prime necessity of civilisation. There is still much to be done before the refinements in aircraft and their equipment whi.eh are available even today can be combined and offered to the operator and the travelling public. 'Planes Tested By Service. If manufacturers had waited for engineers and designers to perfect the experiments which were being carried on with aircraft, we would have had very little activity to-day. Yet the experiments showed so much promise that it was difficult to decide on a production policy which would embrace only tried and proved methods of construction. The operator cannot wait for the engineer to work out new theories, 110 matter how good they may be. He must have the best product available, and lie must have it now. The designer, on the other hand, is not so much interested in the production of a known machine as in the development of a better one. Consequently we find on our airports 'planes which have been thoroughly tested in service and found to be the best available equipment after 25 years of experiment. Indiscriminate Flying. In our research laboratories and design rooms we find conceptions that promise a vast improvement over our present standards. Improvements in design and operation will be carried on by technical men who have devoted their lives to specialised study. People must recognise the difference between commercial air transport and other forms of activity which are .often .extremely hazardous. It. is just as important to inquire about the 'plane you fly in as the ocean liner' you 1 sail on. The intelligent use of air travel will convince the passenger of its safety and advantages. Indiscriminate flying, with just any aeroplane and any pilot, will promote accidents and hinder progress. Promoting Efficiency.

If you are interested enough to look more deeply into the subject, you will find scientists, engineers and research laboratories devoting their every energy to design and perfect devices which will increase operating efficiency and make it possible to fly on schedule through all weather Conditions as regularly as our trains run to-day. Your regular patronage of air mail and passenger lines not only supports the present system, but assists in perfecting one which will be much better. The demand for small models for individual use is constantly increasing. A number of owners fly only for pleasure. But there are. more and more business men who find the aeroplane a means of carrying on their work with higher efficiency and less fatigue. Branch offices are closer, directors' meetings in other cities more easily attended and new places for' week-end recreation are made available. With travel by air constantly increasing, it seems that many of our communities are taking but little notice of it. You can fly over several countries and for hours at a time without seeing a town which has given it enough- consideration to paint the town's name where it can be seen by the aviator. To dp this would require but a few hours of time and a little paint, and would be of untold assistance to fliers. Check To Advertising Needed. One of the hardest parts of crosscountry flying for the aviator is to locate his position. If all our towns were marked this problem would become comparatively simple. * While it is now desirable, to promote the painting of signs for purposes of identification on the roofs of buildings, there is a danger that the future will see too much aerial advertising unless regulations are adopted for its control. We certainly do not wish to have so many advertisements visible from the air that they not only ruin the beauty of our cities but become actually confusing to the pilot.—("Star" and AngloAmerican N.S. Copyright.)