AIRPORTS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19666, 9 July 1929, Page 5

AIRPORTS.

MUNICIPAL ENTERPRISE. ENGLISH ENGINEER'S VIEWS. In a recent issue of ''Municipal Engineering," there is an interesting summary of a paper on "Town Planning and Municipal Airports" by Mr G. A. Ballard, engineer and surveyor to the Cousdon and i'urley Urban District Council. The development of airportSj Mr Ballard said, lias been more seriously considered on the Continent and in America than in Great Britain. America possesses 367 municipal airports, and Germany iJSO. As to the establishment of airports in Great Britain, the most important consideration was the area to be provided. At Croydon the site available approximately is 1200 yards by 1200 yards; obviously it would bo difficult, if not impossible, in the case of many authorities to secure such facilities. Regarding details of lay-out, he said that the problem would be nearing a solution for the smaller authorities if: (1) The general typo of aircraft would not differ, very much from that in use at the present time; and-(2) the size of the site were limited so that the provision of municipal airports would not mean prohibitive expenditure on outlay and upkeep for some considerable time. He emphasised the importance of adequate attention being paid, in planning an aerodrome, to the layout of the adjoining area. Regarding surrounding buildings, an American expert was quoted to the effect that a building 50 feet high made unavailable any part of the field within 350 feet. Little information was available as to the cost of establishing and running an airport. Concluding, Mr Ballard said: "With the general encouragement now being piven, flying will become general, and, like the establishment of petrol stations, the use of an airport will become a business proposition." In the discussion which followed it was stated that the runway at the Croydon Aerodrome was GOO yards \ square, composed of Portland cement [ concrete, which permitted a run of 600 yards. The Croydon Corporation had purchased 150 acres of land in connexion with the development of this airport. The runway cost about £IBO,OOO. Mr Ballard said that for smaller towns of 20,000 to 30,000 population, the establishment of airports may not be possible, and that air transport in its inception would be only between large town 3. He had no doubt that the gliding angle of the aeroplane would be improved, which would result in a smaller runway being required.