DIRECTIONAL WIRELESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20841, 7 April 1931, Page 10

DIRECTIONAL WIRELESS.

ASSISTANCE TO AIRCRAFT. NEW AUSTRALIAN STATIONS. Lrnoit our own correspondent.] SYDNEY. April 2. Somewhat belatedly it was announced this week that plans had been made by the Australian Air Force, and approved by tho Defence Department, for the erection in Australia of at least two directional wireless stations for tho use of aircraft. One will be provided in Victoria and the other in New South Wales. They will be for the use, mainly, of Air Force machines," but they will also be available to cotnmeucial aircraft. According to an official announcement tho proposal has been under discussion for more than twelve months, so it would seem that the Air Force, modern though it be, is not free from the red tape methods of old. It is apparent, too, jthat the tragic loss of the Southern Cloud with eight lives has hastened the final decision, and more than likely as much work was crowded into the final week as was accomplished during the preceding twelve months.

The Southern Cloud was lost during one of the most severe storms experienced in Victoria for many a day. Visibility was at its. worst and experts believe that the pilot was unable to discover bis whereabouts. Had there been a directional wireless station at the Laverton aerodrome the pilot would have been , able quickly to discover his position and so make a safe landing. It has been explained by officials of the Defence Department that it was necessary to investigate the latest developments ill wireless to be sure that the new stations would be thoroughly efficient. Now that the project had been definitely decided upon it was hoped that work would be started at an early date. However, finance is an important consideration. A station worked on what is known as the two"way system such as those proposed is estimated to cost £20,000. So great has been the gro\yth of aviation in Australia that such an expenditure should not be regarded as extravagant. Of course, to make the scheme thoroughly efficient, all aircraft must be fitted with receiving sets at least. A proposal has been made that all planes,licensed to carry passengers should Lie compelled to instal wireless. If the Southern Cloud had been so equipped the pilot would have been able to slate his whereabouts and the dangerous and fruitless search over a vast area of country without any definite clues to work upon would have been avoided. Even now, eleven days since the machine disappeared, it is not known whether tjie machine was lost in the mountains or took a fatal plunge irito the sea. With directional stations established planes travelling between Sydney and Melbourne will be in constant touch.