FLYING TO WORK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22628, 20 July 1935, Page 23

FLYING TO WORK

WITHIN NEXT TEN YEARS HOMES 150 MILES FROM CITk. Mr J. V. Fairbairn. M.P., who left Sydney recently in his Leopard Moth tor Brisbane, in continuation of his flight round Australia, predicts a remarkable advance in aviation in Australia during the next 10 years. “ People will work in the city and travel daily to their homes 150 miles in the country,” Mr Fairbairn said in an interview. “As time goes on light aeroplanes will become cheaper. Hundreds of people will travel in their own aeroplanes, while others will ride in commercial aeroplanes with season tickets. Business men will meet their wives after the latter have had a day’s shopping in the city and fly them home to the country in time to' cook dinner.”

The view was expressed by Mr Fairbairn that aviation would do more to develop country towns and outlying areas than anything else. Most civic bodies had yet to learn the importance of aviation in developing rural areas. When they did they would spare no expense in providing suitable landing grounds for aeroplanes and modern hotel accommodation for travellers.

Mr Fairbairn said that, although he regarded Mascot aerodrome as a splendid airport, it was inadequate for even present air traffic. It was dangerous, he considered, for passenger and commercial aeroplanes to be landing and taking off from the aerodrome while pilots, in training, were flying. Sydney, and every city in Australia, should have three aerodromes; one for instructional purposes, one for private use, and one for commercial and passenger traffic.