OUT OF THE BLUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20722, 15 November 1930, Page 8 (Supplement)

OUT OF THE BLUE.

Proposals have been made to establish a bi-weekly aeroplane service between Berlin and Nankin, it is hoped next April, with 15-passenger machines and following the Trans-Siberian Railway. Negotiations are proceeding with the Soviet Government in this connection.

In view of the rapid increase in the number of municipal and other aerodromes closo to cities and largo towns in England tho Air Ministry is investigating the question of visibility in industrial areas. Attention is being paid to the aggravation of tho problem by tho emission of smnke, particularly during misty and foggy weather.

A change has been made in (he identification markings on (he rudders of R.A.F. aircraft. Hitherto these have been coloured red, white and blue, in vertical stripes, (ho blue being next tho stern post, or forward. These have now been reversed, as the original arrangement was tho samo as that employed on French machines.

Tlio All-American Air Derby, which was recently flown in tho United States over a course of 5561 miles, was won by Mr. Leo Gohlbach, flying a Commandairo Little Rocket fitted with a supercharged Cirrus engine. Eiglileen machines started and ten finished, and the raco was tho longest organised race ever flown in the United State".

Thousands of pounds aro being saved every year in America by tho uso of the nir mail services for the transmission of cheques. A statement made by tho United States Post Office Department says that cheques when carried bv air mail reach New York hours sooner than by any other mail service, thus accumulating interest amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Officers and men of the R.A.F. depot at Karachi, India, have formed a gliding club.. Despite the lack of hills in the locality, the district is part of the Sind Desert, flights of over a mile and heights up to 37ft. have been attained, using a home-made glidor. The design of the glider is now undergoing modification in the light of experience and longer and higher flights are confidently anticipated.