PACIFIC AIRWAYS PLAN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18956, 5 March 1936, Page 5

PACIFIC AIRWAYS PLAN

’FRISCO-AUCKLAND LINK

EXPERTS’ SURVEY WORK

WEATHER & WIND SPEEDS

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. So far no advice has been received in Auckland as to when the technical experts of Pan-American Airways are likely to arrive to report on the terminal facilities necessary for the weekly air service which the company proposes to inaugurate between San Francisco and Auckland.

Under the agreement between the New Zealand Government and PanAmerican Airways, which was signed on November 25, commercial aircraft should be flying regularly over the route before Ihe end of this year. Extensive investigations have been made by the company's experts during the las't few months over the more northerly portion of the route, particular attention being given to the technical and physical problems involved. This investigation will probably be followed by survey flights over the route to test certain of the practical problems, and some of these flights may extend as far as Auckland.

Already the American coastguard cutter Itasca is operating in the United States equatorial islands, and is expected to come as far south as American Samoa. Among the special staff on board this vessel is Lieutenant Stephens, a leading navy meteorological expert, who specialises in forecasts affecting aviation. He will carry out exhaustive readings of the upper air conditions for the purpose of noting air currents, and the velocity and directions of winds at various altitudes.

It is probable that the result of these tests will determine the type of machine that will be chosen for the Auckland service, although it is generally understood that machines of the China Clipper type, which made successful flights from San Francisco to Manila and back, will probably be adopted. No work has yet been done on the proposed airport at Lady's Bay, near St. Holier’s, for the use of these machines, as it is understood that the type of machine finally selected will govern the design and extent of the landing facilities to be provided.

Decision on these points will depend on the investigation of the company’s experts. The agreement with the New Zealand, Government stipulates that the service to the Dominion is to commence not later than December 31, 1936, although if any unforeseen difficulties arise, the Minister of Transport may permit the starting time to be extended to December 31. 1937.