AIRCRAFT OF THE FUTURE

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28414, 22 October 1957, Page 10

AIRCRAFT OF THE FUTURE

Mr T. A. Barrow's Prediction

(From Our Own Reporter) NELSON. October 21

The next 10 years would bring very much larger, faster and infinitely safer aircraft on to the transport routes of the world, said Mr T. A. Barrow. president of the Royal New Zealand Aero Clubs and deputy chairman of T.E.A.L. when speaking at the Nelson Aero Club’s 25th anniversary dinner on Saturday night. “I am sure we haven’t passed the kindergarten stage in air transport,” he said. The present aircraft he described as “intermediate types only, barely economic and not providing anywhere near the service which this mode of travel tfull be able to offer in a few years. Jets would be employed on all world routes by 1959 and there were excellent types with speeds up to 550 miles an hour. However, manufacturers had said that, in looking to the future, they would not build aircraft which would not fly with speeds of 1300 to 1500 miles an hour and having a range of flight of halfway round the world.

The trouble with to-day’s jets was that their hops were limited to 4000 to 5000 miles and so their range was no better than the piston type of aircraft. Within 10 years they would be larger, faster and safer. The jet was a safer power plant than the piston motor.

“There will also be an important place for the helicopter-type of aircraft,” said Mr Barrow. “I predict that the next 25 years will see them used as buses, carrying 200 to 300 passengers at a time over the tops of the houses.”

Chimney Fire.—A unit from the Sydenham fire station attended a chimney fire at 12 Albemarle street at 10.12 a.m. yesterday. No damage was reported in the house, which is owned by Mr E. R. Blackbum.