OVERSEAS FLIGHT

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 56, 8 March 1919, Page 10

OVERSEAS FLIGHT

GL-JNN CURTISS PROPHECIES.

Discussing transatlantic- flight, Mr. Glenn Curtiss, {he American seaplane expert-, said that he believed it would ,be an accomplished fact in the near future. One of tho first developments in commercial aviation would be tho use of flying boats-and seaplanes to carry passengers and packages between Atlantic ports and the West Indies.

"The reason I believe marine flying will be developed more rapidly than land flying," he said, "is because there are no landing fields needed. Harbours, "rivers, and lakes are ideal loading places for seaplanes^ and flying boats. Furthermore, there is no limit to. the width of a seaplane, because there-is ' ample room, for even the largest sea boats to; manoeuvre. We know more about weather conditions on the sea, more about,tides, and more about the general directions of the wind th*n on land. Mariners have -been studying meteorology over the sea for yoars, and the Government already issues charts, of .*II oceans, and has a.; well' organised service covering weather oonditiona. Another thing,, the speed of ships is slow compared' with railway trains, so that air transport at 100 miles an hour will make a bigger cut in time ut sea than on land, and hence find greater favour." . As to commercial aviation, Mr. C_r_« said it would be two or three years befoTe the industry could stand on its own feet. He said.he looked for the early development of mail TOutes and the use of: the airplane for .boast .-patrol,„forest survey, life-saving, and passenger .dnd package carrying. .-.' -A.. :-;,-.;;,;.. .