NEW PLANES FOR N.A.C.

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27688, 18 June 1955, Page 3

NEW PLANES FOR N.A.C.

OFFICERS IMPRESSED WITH VISCOUNT STUDY OF PERFORMANCE IN AUSTRALIA Officers of the Netional Airways Corporation who have been studying the operation of Vickers Viscount aircraft with Trans-Australia Airlines have been greatly impressed with what they have seen. The Viscount is a possible replacement for the DC-3 airliners on main trunk services in New Zealand. The delegation from the corporation comprised the deputy-chairman, Mr J. S. Hunter, the general manager, Mr J. J. Busch, the operations manager. Captain H. C. Walker, and the engineering superintendent. Mr C. W. Labette. With the exception of Captain Walker members of the group arrived at Harewood from Sydney on Thursday. The chairman of the corporation. Sir Leonard Isitt, who had been in Australia attending a meeting of the board of directors of Tasman Empire Airways, Ltd., of which he is also chairman, was also a passenger on the same aircraft. Sir Leonard Isitt said that while the delegation had been very pleased with what they had seen, a further examination of details would be required before the corporation could reach any decision. Mr Hunter said that their observations in Australia had confirmed their assessment of the aircraft’s economic operation, its performance and reliability. This also applied to its suitability, said Mr Busch. The Viscount had a tremendous passenger appeal, had a high degree of reliability and was impressive economically, said Mr Busch. Its flying had to be sampled to be appreciated. The delegation, which spent more than a week in Australia, flew in Viscounts and had discussions with the Australian airline’s operations and technical experts and its management. Mr Busch said that in a Viscount the delegation flew from Melbourne to Sydney at a cruising speed of 315 miles an hour. The group also visited Rolls Royce (Australia), Ltd’s, new factory at Mascot airport, where engine overhauls are carried out. The Rolls Royce company manufactures the turbo-propeller Dart engines that power the Viscounts.

Trans-Australia Airlines began to operate Viscounts in December last year. There were two aircraft in use up till the end of last year and two additional aircraft came into service early this year. By April 10 50,000 passengers had been carried on the new aircraft. Since the beginning of the Viscount services the average passenger load factor has been 85.2 per cent, and the aircraft have been in use for up to 11 hours a day. Fourteen flights a day are scheduled—lo between Sydney and Melbourne and four between Brisbane and Sydney.