Cold Weather Does Not Stop Weather Flights

Northern Advocate, 31 January 1940, Page 5

Cold Weather Does Not Stop Weather Flights

(Received 1 p.m.) RUGBY, January 30. The coldest. weather since 1894, which has been experienced this month, has not deterred the flying personnel of the Meteorological Flight, and regularly twice each day a meteorological plane has gone up from, one of the British bomber stations. On every flight the plane climbed to 25,000 ft. taking readings at regular: intervals. The personnel, comprising a flightlieutenant ,and a warrant officer, wore ordinary flying suits.

90 Degrees of Frost. Though the aircraft was fitted' with electrically-heated clothing, they said they did not need it. The wet and dry bulb thermometer fixed on one of the struts went off the scales at 45 degrees • below -zero, with unfailing regularity. The fliers estimated that on the coldest day there was approximately 90 degrees of frost. Both escaped frost-bite. Not One Flight Missed. Since November 23, 1936, not a. single meteorological flight has been missed. ■ Even fog has not stopped them. Landings have been made in visibilility as low as 25 yards. , It takes about 45 minutes for an aircraft to reach 25,000 feet, and for the pilot to make his readings. To come down, taking on the average .about 15 minutes, the descent must not be too quick for fear of damaging the ear drums.