AIR TRANSPORT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22630, 23 July 1935, Page 5

AIR TRANSPORT

DOMINION TO AUSTRALIA KINGSFORD SMITH’S PLANS 81-WEEKLY SERVICE PROJECTED (Special to Daily Times) AUCKLAND, July 22. The co-operation of the New Zealand Government in his proposal to inaugurate a regular trans-Tasman air service is being sought by the famous Australian airman Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, who arrived at Auckland from Sydney by the Aorangi to-day. Sir Charles will leave to-morrow by aeroplane for Wellington, where he will discuss his plans with the Acting Prime Minister, Sir Alfred Ransom. He will return to Auckland in time to sail for San Francisco by the Monterey on Saturday.

“A service across the Tasman would mean the end of New Zealand’s isolation,” Sir Charles said. The ’Dominion would be brought into closer touch not only with Australia, but also as a result of the Empire air services with England. Overseas visitors could spend longer periods in New Zealand in the knowledge that more rapid transport was available,' and another important factor is that large long-range aircraft and a skilled personnel would be permanently available for the purpose of defence. PROPOSALS OUTLINED “At present,” continued Sir Charles, “it would be quite practicable to run a bi-weekly service based on the requireraeilts of the postal authorities with aircraft now in actual production. The

journey across the Tasman would not take more than nine hours at a cruising speed of 150 miles an hour, and every trip could be made in daylight. Our plans provide for the use of either flying boats or land machines. If we decide on the* former craft the terminal points would be Sydney and Auckland. If land machines are utilised the route will be between Sydney and New Plymouth. “Our proposals provide for the carriage of passengers and mails, and they have already been reviewed most favourably by the Australian Government. Our aim would be to provide a service which would not require expansion in order to co-operate in the new air mail policy planned for 1937. A fast sex-vice across the Tasman is vital if New Zealand is to share in the advantages which will follow on the speeding up of the service from England to Australia.” Under present conditions, Sir Charles continued, a ton of first-class mail matter was carried weekly each way across the Tasman. Between New Zealand and England, via the United States, Canada and Panama, the weekly mail quantities averaged two tons and a-lialf. 1n'1937, if New Zealand was to participate in the new Empire air mail policy, all that mail would have to be carried by air. In the -inception of any air service it was important to ensure that the selected aircraft would be capable of maintaining a regular schedule in any weather in which shipping could operate. The machines would also have to be sufficiently large and speedy to meet the needs of the future policy already announced. AMERICAN MACHINES “In some quarters,” Sir Charles said, “it is suggested that I am unpatriotic because I recommend the use of American machines. The fact is that at present there are no flying boats manufactured in England which are suitable for the Tasman service. In the opinion of English authorities the Tasman presents operation difficulties greater than those on any other air route in the Empire. Captain Johnson, controller of civil aviation in Australia, has recently made a personal inspection of all types of aircraft during a world tour, and he has supported my recommendations.” Sir Charles added that the proposal to operate a trans-Tasman service by Australians and New Zealanders had been supported by the Commonwealth Minister of Defence, Mr R. A. Parkhill. The principle had been fully endorsed by the Australian Cabinet, and approval by the New Zealand Government of the broad outline of his proposals would enable him to complete all the necessary details of equipment and operation during his trip to the United States and England. “If approval is forthcoming,” Sir Charles said, “ I can promise New Zealand that a commercial air service across the Tasman will be in operation by the middle of next year.” LAST LONG FLIGHT

Sir Charles also mentioned his plans to fly from England to Australia in October, describing the venture as the last long flight he Intended to make. On arrival in Los Angeles he would take delivery of his Lockheed Altair monoplane which was stored there and fly to New York, shipping the machine later across the Atlantic. He would probably follow the usual air route from England to Australia.

s “Although I shall not attempt to break records.” he added, “ I shall definitely be in a hurry to return to Australia.”

UNION AIRWAYS SERVICE PURCHASE OF NEW MACHINES. (Per Uxm;i) I’ress Association i WELLINGTON, July 22. An announcement was made to-day on behalf of Union Airways of the purchase of three fonr-engined De Havilland express air liners for the mail and passenger service Palmerston-Blenheim-Christchurch-Dunedin, which it is expected to commence in December. D.H.S6 has accommodation for 10 to 14 passengers, in addition to a crew of two pilots, baggage and mail space of 500 cubic feet. The plane is powered by four 200 h.p. Gipsy sixes, and is able to maintain height on any two engines. I It has ample range for any New Zea--1 land requirements, and is provided with complete navigational equipment. The delivery of the first two machines , will take place on September 3, and I another in October.