TASMAN AIR SERVICE

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 72, 26 March 1935, Page 9

TASMAN AIR SERVICE

Kingsford Smith's Proposal

Plans for a Tasman air service recently submitted to the Government by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith proVide for two flights in each direction weekly. The scheme is backed by elaborate organisation, and It is proposed that it should be operated by Douglas landplanes, cruising at 185 nup.b., and with a range of 1700 to 1900 miles, which would allow of headwinds up to 50 m.p.h. throughout the journey. The machines would also be capable of carrying UOO pounds of mail. The Government has been asked to consider granting a mail contract on terms stated below, and if it is viewed favourably, Sir Charles hopes to form a company with a capital of £125.000. The proposed terras are:-- A . , . (1) • The company to operate services twice wee&ly in each direction between Sydney and New Plymouth, and give precedence to the carriage of mails. (2) That the New Zealand Government in conjunction with the Commonwealth Government, guarantee the company a weekly revenue, of £1200 for'carriage of mails across the Tasman Sea, being a charge of 6/- a pound on an average payload of 1000 pounds of mail a trip, or 4.000 pounds of mail a week. (3) - That in the event of the annual mail carried by the-company exceeding a weekly average of 4000 pounds, the company shall be paid only kl- a pound in respect of the excess. ■ The operating schedule drawn up by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith provides for trips being-made on Tuesdays, and Fridays. Under normal weather conditions, the trips, should take'"?i hours at. 185 miles.aa hour. .Oxygen equipment will be fitted to the planes which may have to ascend to the service ceiling 23,600 feet, '.to,escape bad weather-- ' ■

Provision has been made also for two-way tele-. 'phonic communication, long and short-wave transmission and reception and shore direction finding. The safety measures .include the installation of an emergency radio set operative from the surface of the water and the carriage of a seaworthy boat. ■ The navigator will have complete equipment for air navigation. Included in the capital requirements of. the proposed company, which have been estimated in Australian currency, is a sum of £53,022 for two complete twin-' englned Douglas machines. ' This includes assembly . costs and expenses Incidental 'to obtaining a certificate of airworthiness. The sum of £7,000 has been allotted-for hangars, "workshops, tools and equipment at Sydney;and Mew Ply-s mouth and £5,,000 to provide radio equipment. Remuneration of £5,000 is payable to Sir Charles for supervising the inauguration of the service and proceeding abroad to purchase equipment, and £19,517 is set aside for contingencies. Operating expenses include;-£l2l/9/-*""a week for' tuieTand oil,•■£lo2/13/- for*TI€rp^«cf«s»ents,' sr£l6-3 for in-~ suirance on aircraft, pilots and--buildings, and £243/12/----for depreciation. Overhead expenses have been estimated at,£lßs/10/- weekly, and'it'is proposed to pay the-technical.staff a total of £93 a week. "The staff is to consist of two pilots at £20 a week each, two radio operator-navigators £-L 0 a week each, three engineers £7 each, one engineer-aircraftsman stationed at flew. Plymouth £7, and. two boys at £2/10/-. '. The operating expenses of such a service have been estimated by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith at £910 a week, leaving a net profit:of approximately £11,687 (a^year., '