LIFTING CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 284, 28 August 1935, Page 9

LIFTING CONTROL

Making and Flying of Light Aeroplanes BRITISH DECISION Maker and Pilot on Same Basis as With Cars By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received August 27, 835 p.m ) London. August 27. The Air Minister,? Jias decided to free both tlie manufacture and flying of ultra-light tieroplanes from official control provided they tire insured against third party risks. This is regarded as a first stop to “de-control” civil aviation. Tlie “News-Chronicle" points out that tlie builder of ultra-light aeroplanes is now placed on the same basis as a motor-car manufacturer, and the pilot on tlie same basis as a motorist. “It is the most important aviation development since the war,” said a prominent manufacturer. "Eventually it will make flying as cheap as motoring." He added that tlie decision would enable a reduction in the initial cost of at least 25 per cent. without sacrifice of safety or efficiency.

RAPID INCREASE Imperial Airways Traffic PASSENGERS AND FREIGHT (British official Wireless.) Rugby, August 26. Tlie continued rapid increase of air traffic is shown by figures for passengers, freight, mails and mileage of the Imperial Airways services. Comparing the first quarters of this year and last year, tlie passenger ton miles were 561,835, against 367,038; freight ton miles were 127,213, against 87,811; and mails ton miles were 269,425, against 135,05(1; while the passenger mile total reached 5.854.234. against 3,830,609. Still more recent statistics referring to May this year show an increase of 70 per cent, as compared with the similar period in 1934 in the number of Empire air passengers passing through Croydon Airport. During a recent period of 12 months for which figures are available —March 31, 1934. to April 1. 1935—the air liners of Imperial Airways operating on European and Empire routes flew 2,482,864 miles and carried 55,559 passengers and over 2.000,000 pounds of mails and freight.