OUT OF THE BLUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20426, 30 November 1929, Page 8 (Supplement)

OUT OF THE BLUE.

The air fare from London to Paris has now been reduced to £3 10s.

Civil aviation in Switzerland was responsible for the conveyance of 7146 passengers last year.

It is possible to land at Waikaremoana within one mile of Tuai, on a two-way natural aerodrome 310 yds. in length, with moderately good approaches.

The Czechoslovak Ministry of National Defence has forbidden aerobatics by military airmen on the ground that these manoeuvres endanger lifo and property.

Thirteen light aeroplane clubs were in operation in Britain in 1928, with a total membership of 3288, representing an increase of 50 per cent, since the end of 1927.

A most important, step in the progress of French aviation has just been decided upon by the Ministry of Air. This is the adaptation of Diesel engines of a modified type to aircraft.

For the use made of aviation the U.S.A. takes first placo with 831 tons of goods carried. Germany is second (340 tons), France third (128 tons), and Britain fourth (125 tons).

TJie weekly report from the Auckland Aero Club shows a total time of 29hrs. 30mins. flying; 19hrs. 40mitis. were occupied with dual instruction and sbrs. with solo flying by pupils.

Tatipo possesses a very good natural aerodrome, lying on the north-west side of Mount Tauhara (3603 ft. a.5.1.). On account of its height this mountain provides a landmark clearly visible for 50 miles in fine weather.

An Armstrong Siddelev " Jaguar " engine, which had run without a falter for 760 hours, covering a distance of more than 50,000 miles since its last complete overhaul, was used on Sir Alan Cobham's arooplano " Youth of Great Britain."

Thirteen persons, including one woman, joined tho Caterpillar Club during one month recently in America. This club, which has no officers and no meetings, is composed of pilots who have saved their lives by parachute jumps when their planes have failed.

How civil aviation progressed in England last year is shown by the following comparative figures:— 1925. 1027. Aircraft Flights .. -18.5)10 44,445 Aircraft Mileage . . 230,000 222,000 Passengers . . . . 9G.GJ9 90.G95 Chicago has appointed its first air policeman in consequence of " wild-cat " Hying over tho city and its suburb?. His duties-will bo first to inspect the credentials of all pilots, their equipment, and the airports and operating companies and schools in Cook county. Aerial survey is of particular assistance to ground survey, inasmuch as bad flying country, if any, can bo clearly seen from the air, tho suitable sites for emergency landing grounds can bo pin-pointed on tho map and surveyed and arranged for when tho route is covered by car later. Germany's figures in aviation statistics nro remarkable. Tho following figures show the comparative positions between her and England Britain. Germany. Subsidy- . . • . £250,000 £9SR,4PO Koute Miles .. 2,215 18,000 Miles Flown .. 1,135,910 0,820,000 Passengers . . . . 29,300 113,615 Goods Tonnage . • 7GO 2,060

Hexagonal hangars have appeared in aerodromo architecture, ono building of this typo having been erected at tho Los Angeles airport. Six largo passenger planes can bo accommodated, tho tails of fhc pianos toward the centre of tho building, the propellers facing the sides. Planes may bo run in or taken out simutaneously without interfering with each other.

In November iibxfc an air mail service will bo inaugurated between McMurray, Alberta, and Aklavik in Canada. Tho new service will almost parallel tho historic fur trader's trail for nearly 2000 miles north and north-west along the Athabaska, Slave and Mackenzie Rivers, bringing this remote but important region of Canada's vast northland within comparatively easy reach of the main arteries of traffic.; •