CIVIL AVIATION IN U.S.A.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18207, 30 September 1933, Page 13

CIVIL AVIATION IN U.S.A.

BIG STATE SUBSIDY FAST PLANKS "DEVELOPED America lias developed the very fast commercial aeroplane, a class of which Great Britain lias no examples in regular operation and only one or two types in the experimental stage. This contrast is mainly due to the difference between the air transport needs and conditions of the two countries. In addition the- American aircraft manufacturer ami airline operator have been helped by Government very much more liberally than the British. America Inis a vast network of longdistance air lines over which mails are carried at high speed. Passengers are a. secondary consideration. Great Britain lias no such system : her air routes are organised for Imperial communications, and the aircraft are designed for passengers’ comfort and safety primarily.

America’s fast civil aircraft are. the one class in which she lias superiority, but there are indications that this .superiority may soon be shaken.

An official report points out that of late, although the home market for aircraft ill the United States is big. there is a strong tendency towards greater dependence upon Government orders. The position of the American aircraft industry is further affected, and very seriously, by the proposal of a Government committee recently referred to in these columns. It is recommended that the air postal rates shall be reduced, that the basis of payment lie altered, and that contracts to operating companies which arc financially interlocked with aircraft manufacturers shall cease. COMPARISON IN STATE AID

Tt is interesting to compare the extent of the subsidies given to the industry by tlie United States with the official help accorded in Britain. The total amount given by flic British Government to civil aviation is £568,000. and of this £20.000 is to the light aeroplane clubs. The figures for (ITe current year in the United States are as follows: Civil aviation vote ... £7),675,040 Through the Post Office £4.521,167 (in dollars flic total is 39,882,750). This is less than the figure for the previous year by £916,563. On an average, the compensation amounts to about. 2s 4d per mile flown, the amount ranging between Is per mile and 2s lid.