AIR SERVICES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22936, 14 January 1938, Page 12

AIR SERVICES

JRECORD OF PKOGEESS FEW MAJOR DISASTERS LONG DISTANCES COVERED Such tremendous strides have been made in commercial aviation during recent years that, in comparison with actual miles travelled, the proportion of major disasters is no greater than is normal in other and much older forms of transport. Statistics for 1935, the latest complete figures available, show that on regular air services throughout the world there was a total route mileage of 278,200 miles. Over these routes the commercial aircraft of all countries travelled a total of 149,342,000 miles, and during that time only 46 deaths resulted from civil aviation accidents. This total, -which embraces the whole worljj, is far less than the number of deaths arising from motor accidents in New Zealand in the course of a year. Dominion's Own Services New Zealand now has its own Internal air services, which have .established a high reputation for safety and efficiency, and the Dominion, during the last few weeks in particular, has begun to regard air links with overseas countries as a matter of course. World ' statistics prove conclusively that the increasing use which is being made of air transport in all quarters of the globe is not a case of misplaced confidence. The following figures for the countries in which the greatest advances have been made in commercial aviation give a., clear indication of the extent to which air transport was used

Network over Globe Long-distance air routes have now been spread in an intricate network all over the globe. Imperial Airways is rapidly expanding its Empire chain. It operates daily services between London and Continental centres; twiceweekly ' services via the Mediterranean and the East to Australia, in conjunction with its associated companies; and a twice-weekly service to South Africa. In all, imperial Airways and its associated companies serve four continents and 29 different countries. The routos flown cover 27,138 miles. An even more, extensive system is operated by Pan American Airways, which conducts services from the United States to the West Indies, Central America, South America, Honolulu and China, and which has actually opened the route from Honolulu to Xew Zealand. Its air lines encircle the greater part of South America, flying high above the Andes, and the company also conducts internal air services in Alaska. North Atlantic Route

Pan American Airways nets in conjunction with Imperial Airwavs in operating services to the AVest Indies nnd the two companies are also cooperating in surveying the route over the North Atlantic. Other countries have not been backward in developing ocean and overland nir routes. The Dutch have built up an enviable record with their service to the Dutch East Indies, while 1' rencli and German companies run regular services between the west coast of Africa and South America. Several air lines fly across the North Sea between Scandinavian countries and England, and practically every civilised country lias its own internal air services.,.

ADVERSE TURN OF FATE CAPTAIN'S LAST FLIGHT EARLY TRANSFER PLANNED MECHANIC'S TRAGIC CHOICE A tragic circumstance of the Samoan Clipper disaster is that the commander, Captain Musick, was making the last flight over the route scheduled for him for some months. When the Clipperlast visited Auckland, Captain Musick was accompanied by Captain W. D. Culbertson, and on this week's venture he had with him Captain C. G. Sellers. The intention was that in future Captains Culbertson and Sellers should command the Samoan Clipper on alternate round trips and that Captain Musick should be transferred to other duties, probably on the North Pacific run. <

In accordance with its practice of having Captain Musick pioneer most of its long-distance ocean routes, it was expected that Pan American Airways j would have sent him to New Zealand in command of the giant Boeing machine, South Seas Clipper,. on her inaugural flight later this year. The South Seas Clipper is nearing comple- ! tion at tho Boeing factory, and still has to bo flight-tested. ,• A. Press Association message from ; Pago Pago says .it is tragically revealed that Mr. J. A. Brooks, flight mechanic, was transferred to tho Samoan Clipper because ho wanted to spend Christmas with his family in Honolulu. He was scheduled for another Clipper leaving before the holiday. The commander of the Matson Company's ship Mariposa, which is ill the area where the Clipper met disaster, "offered to carry the bodies home if they are found, which is problematical. The Mariposa is due at Pago Pago on Friday.

REACTION IN AUCKLAND FLAGB FLOWN AT HALF-MAST SHIPS JOIN IN TRIBUTE So great has been the interest taken by Aucklanders in the recent arrivals of flying boats and the development, of air services across the oceans that a feeling of real, personal loss was manifest in the city yesterday morning when definite news was received of the disaster which had overtaken the Siunoan Clipper and her crew. It was the main topic of conversation throughout tho day and everywhere the loss of the Clipper was spoken of with a sense of tragedy Flags on most public buildings were flown at half-mast when, the loss of the Clipper became known, among thorn tho Stars and Stripes from the offices of the United States Consulate in Dilworth Buildings. A request was made by the Auckland Harbour Board that all shipping should fly flags at half-mast and there was immediate compliance. The Japanese motor-ship Melbourne Maru and the German steamer Anhalt joined in paying this mute tribute of respect to the memory of sailors of the skies. Even yachts and launches in the vicinity of the Pan American base in Mechanics' Bay flew flags at halfmast, . .

in 1935: — Miles Passcnpiors Flown Carried United States . 63,640,233800,761 Great Britain . 8,412,000 200,000 178,052 177,472 56,303 Germany Canada ■ Pratice .. . 9,288,810 . 7,522,102 . 6,056,(533 Holland Italy . 3,888,230 , 2,770,041 04,193 53,694