TASMAN AIR SERVICE

Evening Star, Issue 25941, 5 November 1946, Page 7

TASMAN AIR SERVICE

FARES GOULD BE HALVED AND TIME CUT

CHANGE TO CONSTELLATION LINERS ADVOCATED

(Rec. 11.45 a.m.) SYDNEY, Nov. 5 If the present flying boats were replaced by American Constellation air liners on. the trans-Tas-man run, the fares could be reduced to less than half the present amount, and the time of the crossing could be cut to a regular schedule of four and a-half hours, . says Captain P. G. Taylor, in the Sydney ‘ Morning Herald.’

Writing on the purchase by Australia of Constellations for the Sydney-Lon-don service, he emphasises the necessity of'"selection of the best aircraft regardless of country of origin. The principle of using British aircraft'for Empire communications, says Captain Taylor, has been disastrous, both to British overseas air lines and to the, transport aircraft industry. The inauguration of the trans-Tasman service with flying boats was a big advance toward normal air travel both

in reliability and in luxury. Even backed by a national subsidy, however, the fare had to be high because of the comparatively low payload. Captain Taylor affirms that, while flying boats have given wonderful 'service the Constellation has brought a new and , important phase to transTasman flying. The service could be operated profitably on' a 4-J-houi schedule at a single fare of under £ls, compared with the present £3O. Flying at 20,000 ft the aircraft would pass over most weather, and the reserve speed and range would allow the planes to dodge the remaining areas of disturbance. The super-charged engines and the pressurised cabin would permit efficient flying and allow passeitgers to travel at high altitudes in comfort. The shorter trip would mean that comfort would be achieved with less space, and 64 passengers could be accommodated in the Constellation. , Mr Taylor concludes that the standard of speed and efficiency established by the Constellation will probably hold good for the next five years until jet transports are proven, and that the plane represents the highest level of performance which will be reached by propeller-driVen reciprocating engined transport.