TRANS-PACIFIC AIR SERVICE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21972, 22 December 1936, Page 11

TRANS-PACIFIC AIR SERVICE

SURVEY OF ROUTE PAN-AMERICAX AIRWAYS' EXPERTS ARRIVE REFERENCE TO AGREEMENT WITH GOVERNMENT [THE PBESS Special Service.] AUCKLAND, December 21. The completion of the Pan-Ameri-can Airways' survey of the route for its projected service from America to New Zealand has been brought appreciably nearer-by the arrival by the Niagara, with the company's representative, Mr Harold Gatty, of three technical experts—Mr A. Francis, meteorologist; Mr W. T. Jarbos, who deals with radio communications; and Mr M. M. Thompson, ground engineer. Speaking of the project, Mr Gattv said it was planned to continue in New Zealand the investigations that had already been made over the northern portion of the route. In addition to the three experts, who would be stationed in New Zealand, a meteorologist and a radio expert travelled to Suva by the Niagara, and would continue investigations at Pago Pago and co-operate with the New Zealand party. It was not certain how long the investigations in the Dominion would take, and no information was available about test flights.

Reciprocity Clause in Agreement Mr Gatty said he was unable 1o discuss at this stage what attitude the company was taking toward its agreement with the Government, which will expire on December 31. unless the service has been started or an extension obtained. He denied that there was any difficulty over the much-discussed reciprocity clause which in its original form provided that the agreement could be cancelled after 12 months' notice if a British company failed to obtain from the American Government similar privileges for a trans-Pacific service to those granted the company in New Zealand. There had been a lot of guesswork on the subject, and much of it was incorrect. The things the company had wanted changed in the agreement were minor points which did not matter much. Meanwhile, research would continue into the various aspects of the service.

A certain amount of apparatus had been brought to New Zealand to help in the work, but assistance would also be sought from local sources where possible. Mr Francis, for instance would confer with the Government meteorologist in Wellington. Mr Thompson's investigations would include an examination of suitable bases in Auckland. Long Experience The men accompanying Mr Gatiy have all had long experience in their Particular work. Mr Francis has een engaged in meteorology for 18 years. He was in the submarine service during the war, and after the Armistice he turned his attention definitely to the aerial side of his subjec*. Mr Francis emphasised the wide field covered to-day by weather services attached to flying organisations. PanAmerican Airways covered an area from the interior of China to Chicago, or a quarter of the earth's surface with its daily weather service. As to the North Pacific service, it was proud that in a round trip over 16,000 miles of sea on a 13-day schedule the machines had never arrived back more than three days late, though flying always with perfect safety. "Commercial flying to-day is a science, not just a stunt," he said. "You cannot fly profitably and make it an adventure. Hazards have to be cut out, and we claim practically to have done that."

From the information at his disposal so far, Mr Francis said he thought that although at times there would be unpleasant weather there should be less difficulty in flying in the south Pacific than in the north Pacific. Mr Jarbos has been connected with the company for more than six years, and he has specialised in radio work in the opening up of new routes. He took part in the test flights that pioneered the service to Manila. Mr Thompson's headquarters have been at Honolulu, where he has been engaged in construction and maintenance work connected with the north Pacific service.