AEROPLANE NAVIGATION

Taranaki Daily News, 16 January 1934, Page 6

AEROPLANE NAVIGATION

VALUE OF THE RADIO BEAM USE IN TRANS-TASMAN FLIGHTS. NEW PLYMOUTH STATION WANTED. VIEWS OF SOUTHERN CROSS CREW. (By S. E. Nielson.) In view of the importance of the New Plymouth airport to overseas aviation I have been prosecuting inquiries in several directions regarding radio beams for the navigation of aircraft in all weathers and under all conditions. It is the unanimous opinion of the aviators who have flown the Tasman at various times that beam wireless is one of the early essentials for any regular oversesa and internal services..

Following the opinions of these experienced and world-famed pilots, I made further inquiries while at Sydney, and a prominent firm of radio specialists is obtaining information, and has promised me a comprehensive report in the near future.

It is recognised that this is a national matter, but it is desired to have New Plymouth in such a position when the time arrives to have the whole of this essential information available. Further information is also coming to hand from America. When I spoke to Sir Charles Kingsford Smith on this subject he was most emphatic not only regarding the necessity for the radio beam service but also that its location should be at New Plymouth. “New Plymouth,” he said, is the logical terminal for any trans-Tasman air service. I am quite convinced of this; otherwise I would not have made it my first port of call. In order that these jf flights : may be made one hundred per ’T cent, safe it is absolutely necessary that some system of radio beam or wireless direction-finding should be established between this country . and Australia.” EXPERIMENTAL STAGE PASSED. Sir Charles went on to state that the radio beam had long since passed the experimental stage. , All regular route flying in the United States was carried out along these beams. He had used them himself, and they were absolutely foolproof and as reliable as the modern flying machine itself. It made the. aviator quite independent and safe no matter how had the weather conditions or the atmospheric disturbances. The apparatus worked automatically, and re- ' quired little if any work on the part of an attendant. “There can be no doubt,” he concluded, “that the first of these beacons should be established at New Plymouth, not only on account of the trans-Tasman flights, but because of its position to serve the New Zealand internal air services, for even these cannot work in all weathers without the beam.” Mr. J. W. Stannage, who has filled the position of wireless operator on nearly all Sir Charles Kingsford Smith’s voyages, has studied the question. of the radio beam. When the Southern Cross made the trip across America after flying the Atlantic, she steered her passage along these beams. On this trip Mr. Stannage made a close study of the various radio developments in Great Britain, Europe and the United States, especially in regard to aviation. He found, much to his chagrin as a Briton, that the States were at least four to five years ahead of the’ rest of the world in this matter, and he is of the opinion that if New Zealand and Australia are to instal any systems, the example should be the States. NETWORK OF BEAM STATIONS. “To-day,” said Mr. Stannage, “there is a most complete network of beam wireless stations right from coast to coast along all the main routes. Planes can fly right across the States without any fear of the weather or getting off the track. They just have to follow the beam, the working of which is ; shown on an indicator on. the dashboard in front of the pilot.” . _ . According to reports from America there has been yet a further advance in » the radio beam. This beam can be • switched off and. by. means of a superimposed telephone a message can be sent to the plane advising of the.weather conditions existing ahead. Mr. Stannage considers that the great advantages of the radio beam are that the extra apparatus necessitates practically no extra weight for the flying machine, and saves all the time, that the W. pilot, co-pilot and navigator have to W spend, in taking bearings and drift. “If a radio beacon is established in New Zealand,” concluded Mr. Stahnage, “New Plymouth is certainly the logical place for its erection. Not only could it serve the trans-Tasman planes, but it would be ideally situated, to help traffic all over the North Island, from Wellington to Auckland especially.” NAVIGATOR’S VIEWPOINT. Captain P. G, Taylor who was the navigator in the Southern Cross on her recent Tasman flights, stated that when a regular trans-Tasman service is established it would be a great advantage for the aircraft operating the service to have available some form of wireless direction to assist in the navigation. Of the various systems which could be established the radio beacon was the most suitable. The desirability of wireless direction for a regular service was brought about by the necessity for flying in all weathers and at times when the sky was overcast and sights could ' not be obtained of the sun and stars. Under these conditions wireless direction would be invaluable in assisting the aircraft to make an accurate landfall. It would also be necessary to have wireless communication between aircraft, and its destination in order to obtain information as to the conditions prevailing there as to height of cloud, winds and visibility generally. Owing to its geographical situation New Plymouth would be a very suitable terminal airport for a trans-Tasman service, and if it were adopted as such would be the natural location for any form of wireless direction, including a radio beacon.

It will thus be seen that the necessity for the establishment of this radio beam beacon is stressed by all these wellknown fliers who from their own experience know the feeling of security, that it gives and the absolute necessity for its ultimate establishment. If practicable it is hoped to link New Plymouth with the Australian terminal, and it is understood that this matter is being taken in hand in Sydney in the near future.

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