THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1929. WINGS FOR BRITAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20172, 5 February 1929, Page 8

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1929. WINGS FOR BRITAIN.

In Sir Samuel Hoare's reference to tho agreement made between the British Government and the National Flying Services Company is an indication of the very wide scope of the scheme. The organisation, as he describes its purpose, is formed to provide a practical flying system for the whole country. As yet, Britain has lacked such a system to an extent not generally understood. Civil aviation has certainly had a great deal of attention, but expert observers have been impressed by the need to deal with certain real and acute problems. They have gone so far as to say that the development of civil aviation has been seriously hampered and seemed likely to remain at a deadlock until these hindrances could be removed. Especially have they called attention to the scarcity of landing-grounds and facilities. Because of this scarcity, the sale of aircraft to private persons has been checked, while at the same time municipalities have been reluctant to provide these landinggrounds and facilities until there was enough air traffic to justify their provision. Thus a vicious circle has been created. To break out of this has become an imperative necessity, and the scheme now announced as approved is one in which private enterprise, encouraged by the Government, has taken the initiative. The promoters of the scheme have emphasised also that, by means of it, a congenial outlet would be provided for short-service commissioned pilots of the Royal Air Force whose term has ended and whose value to the nation would bo lost' unless some means were devised whereby they could keep their skill. These promoters have urged that the staff of pilots and instructors to be employed by the projected company would absorb practically all these ex-R.A.F. men, who have been leaving the service to the average number of 150 each year. The scheme is ambitious, but not too ambitious in view of the necessities of the situation. Its aim is to establish a network of aerodromes throughout the country, to provide facilities for instruction in flying and for pleasure trips, to give assistance to private owners in garaging and service, and to inaugurate internal airlines as feeders for the regular European and Imperial air services. In all these respects there has been need for enterprise. A strong recommendation of the scheme is its large-scale direction by a unified management. There is to be centralised control of offices, stores, staff and workshops, as well as a considerable degree of uniformity of equipment. It is expected that the organisation will hand on to the public the advantage of cheap rates for the employment of aircraft services. Beside being economical, the scheme will be eminently practical. Its board of directors comprises men of extensive practical experience in flying. At its head will be a former Air Minister, Captain Guest, who is squadron-leader of a London bombing squadron and was one of the first and most enthusiastic advocates of the scheme. Sir Alan Cobharn, famous for his personal successes in thoroughly efficient and well organised flights, is also a member of the directorate. In the hands of such men, the enterprise has a guarantee of sound management. They have made it plain that they expect the scheme to be self-supporting within a short time. They have asked from the Government temporary aid only, and this but as payment according to results actually achieved in the furnishing of aerodromes, tho supply of services and the granting of flying certificates to trainees. Although the details of the project were not authoritatively announced until last December, it was known that the Air Ministry viewed it with favour, and the explanation now given by the Secretary for Air. shows that the Government has endorsed it practically in the form submitted by the i promoters.

There can be no doubt that some such scheme, on a smaller scale and v.ith modifications to suit conditions prevailing in this Dominion, would do much to advance civil aviation

hero. New Zealand is developing an air sense: the need is to furnish it with wings. A few enthusiasts have done something to show that private flying is possible and can be enjoyed in this country. Some flying clubs have been formed. The Government has given assistance in the way of aircraft. All this is good as far as it goes. But it is obvious that the same sort of deadlock that the Homoland has experienced will hinder development here, and a leaf can advantageously be taken from the British book. Private enterprise on an adequate scale, given the requisite measure of Government aid in its initial stage, could surely help forward similarly civil aviation in this country. To have one or two far-sundered aerodromes properly equipped will do little: there should be landing-grounds between these main airports, grounds furnished with petrol, repair and garaging facilities, and with telephone communication. The multiplying of private aircraft will lag without these, whereas their provision, even in a relatively small way, and the availability of instruction in connection with them, should give a considerable impetus to this desirable development. The scheme now announced is designed to give Britain wings. Sooner or later, this country too must take to the air, and it may well profit by the British example so auspiciously set.