DIRECTIONAL WIRELESS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 January 1934, Page 6

DIRECTIONAL WIRELESS.

In an article in the Daily News this morning Mr. S. E. Nielson, secretary of the New Plymouth and New Zealand Aero Clubs, deals with the question of the navigation of aeroplanes by directional wireless, or in other words “radio beam,” and suggests that the time is not far distant when a radio beam station at New Plymouth will be a necessity. His views are borne out by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and other members of the crew of the Southern Cross, and were also endorsed by Mr. C. T. P. Ulm when he was at New Plymouth in the Faith in Australia. It is quite apparent that before a regular air service can be instituted between New Zealand and Australia machines will have to be built of such a size and type that there can be no chance of their breaking down before the flight is accomplished, and provision must be made so that they can steer an accurate course in all kinds of weather. Machines are being built today that are practically a hundred per cent, efficient for long-distance flying, and it remains for those concerned to provide the means of ensuring accurate navigation under any conditions. The way to do this is by radio beam. Without going into details of what a radio beam is and does, which have been discussed elsewhere, it is apparent that the logical point for the first radio beam in New Zealand is New Plymouth, where it can most conveniently serve not only Tasman air traffic but inland traffic as well, at any rate in the North Island. It is understood that a first-class, powerful beam station can be erected at a reasonable cost, and a station suitable for all initial needs could be built for less than £lOOO. The provision of such a station is obviously a national rather than a local responsibility, and is a matter which should be given serious consideration by the Director of Civil Aviation. In fact it is a matter in which the Air Force authorities should also be called upon to co-operate, for in any national emergency or crisis, either civil or military, such a station for directing aeroplanes through all weathers would be invaluable. Except for an insignificant subsidy on pupils trained and the loan of a few aeroplanes the Government has so far been content to stand by and let the aero clubs do all the developing of aviation in New Zealand. The opportunity has now arisen for the Government to make a practical contribution to aviation that should be of immense benefit, and it is to be hoped that it will realise its duty without undue delay.