TRANS-TASMAN AIR SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 98, 20 January 1936, Page 10

TRANS-TASMAN AIR SERVICE

Scheme Before Cabinet

WELLINGTON TERMINAL AS EXPERIMENT

Direct Weekly Connection With Sydney

A direct weekly air connection between Wellington and Sydney by Sikorsky Clipper flying-boats for the first three months of the service, as an experiment, is part of the plan ot the Trans-Tasman Air Service Development Company, Limited, now being considered by Cabinet. “During this experimental period we will determine whether we will be able to incluude Wellington in the definite schedule,” stated Mr. B. T. Shell, business manager for the company, who is at present in Wellington. The company plans to fly twice weekly in each direction. The headquarters of the company’s flying operations will be in Auckland, and the intention is to fly the service in each direction on Tuesdays and Fridays. During the first three months, one flight will be to , and from Wellington, and ou the alternate day to and from Auckland. Originally the scheme was for the operation of an airline between Auckland and Sydney only, but as the result of the extensive inquiries into the operations of these flying-boats and their suitability for the Tasman service made by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith when abroad, and his own judgment after flying them, Sir Charles decided to investigate the possibility of including Wellington in their regular service, said Mr. Sheil yesterday. This was the only modification of the plan originally laid down, and was the result of his increased respect for the seaworthiness of the Clipper ships. Reason for Experiment. “During this experimental period, we will determine whether we will be able to include Wellington in the definite schedule,” said Mr. Sheil. “The difficulty in running a service to Wellington is very largely caused by the increasing strength of the westerly winds encountered on the crossing as one goes, south. Difficulties such as these are being overcome by the progress of aeronautical science, particularly latterly, and by the greater seaworthiness and airworthiness of the types that are being developed for use on over-sea services. , , “The Wellington call will be not only a benefit to Wellington and the southern portion of the North Island, but will be of tremendous importance to the South Island, as once a week it will be possible to mail a letter in the afternoon in Christchurch and have it delivered in Sydney postal boxes late the next afternoon. “Our plan for a twice-weekly service with the Clipper ships will provide the most efficient connection with the Eng-land-Australia service, the best possible service for the New Zealand-Aus-tralia mail and a most efficient link witli Pan-American Airways when their Pacific service to Auckland is inaugurated.” Captain Taylor at Head.

Captain I*. G. Taylor, navigator for Sir Charles Kingsford Smith on the Pacific flight of the Lady Southern Cross in 1934, the hero of the Jubilee Tasman flight, and a man who is recognised as one of the worlds greatest air navigators, has officially taken Sir Charles Kingsford Smith’s place as director of the flying operations of the company. Captain Taylor, who is a war pilot and was one of the pilots ou the services of Australian National Airways, was the navigator on the later Tasman flights of the Southern Cross and held a similar position during Mr. C. T. P. Ulm’s attempted world flight which came to an end when the Faith in Australia was engulfed by the sea on Portmarnock beach, Ireland. The Sikorsky flying boats have been thoroughly tried in service in other parts of the world, and an intensive study of the meteorological and other operational conditions on the Tasman route has been made. As an instance of the thoroughness of this survey, the example of Sydney harbour might be quoted. At first it was doubted whether it would be possible to work Sydney harbour uninterruptedly, and a conference with officials strengthened this doubt. A survey of Botany Bay conditions was made, but with little better result. Then it was found that the weather bureau at Sydney observed fog conditions from the location of their bureau, which is situated on a hill adjoining the harbour. So the airmen conferred with every ferry-boat captain in Sydney. These men, who cross and recross Sydney .harbour everyday of their lives and know it in every condition, showed that the harbour surface fog conditions differed entirely from the official records, and showed that it would be possible to operate .Sydney harbour with flying-boats of the type proposed without difficulty. Four engines producing 3000 h.p. will drive the giant 18-ton flying-boats with their 28 passengers at speeds up to 190 miles per hour, with a cruising speed of 160 miles per hour. The fuel and oil are all carried in the wings, so that no petrol enters the hull, and the interior of the cabins are arranged somewhat after the manner of a Pullman ear.

There are four passenger compartments, luxuriously equipped and separated by watertight doors. A baggage compartment is located between the pilot's compartment and the smoking compartment. A strongbox for valuables is situated beneath the floor of the baggage compartment, and the mail compartment is on the port side of the main entrance. Two air rafts are in the baggage compartment ami two more just behind the mail entrance. The steward’s compartment is under the main stairway. Each passenger compartment in these Clipper ships Ims six portholes. “ALL REASONABLE HELP” Harbour Board’s View “The board will place ail reasonable facilities at the disposal of any company that can give a reasonable service Io the Dominion,” said Mr. T. It. Barver, chairman of the Wellington liarhour Board last evening, when commenting on the proposal to wake Wellington a terminal for the air service.