CHARTING THE AIR.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8178, 3 May 1919, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHARTING THE AIR.

By “NIGHT-HAWK.” Manv pilots who have flown continuously along well-defined routes or over limited areas can tell you exactly where the principal air pockets are, as 'well as the general direction and normal' velocity of the prevalent- winds. There is, for example, a very famous ‘ r bump” near one of the well-known aerodromes not far from London—a “ bump’’ which is, to all intents and 'purposes, permanent. It is caused by a big sewage farm, over which you generally have to fly in order to land on the aerodrome. During the war that very old science, meteorology en’isted thousands of new and enthusiastic devotees. The causes of air variations were closely studied; wireless observation stations were erected in a thousand and one different places ; our knowledge of air streams and air habits increased by le-aips and bounds.

The result was that -during the last) two years of the war “Meteor,” the general weather prophet of the Royal Air Force, was able to tell us approximately what weather we might expect to encounter' on any given route at any given height for ten or twe’ve hours ahead.

On the western front the air was charted to a nicety. Lives and machines were spared by a comparatively accurate foreknowledge of changes in air conditions. I remember once that, on a very clear, starlit night, our wing headquarters ordered a bombing raid upon a German Army group headquarters some fifteen or twenty miles over the lines. The raiding machines were timed to leave the aerodrome at nine o’clock. Engines were being run up, pilots and observers had climbed into their seats, when unexpectedly “Mete, or’s” message came through: "

Heavy fog drifting in from the North Sea. Dangerous flying weather for all machines north of the Somme.”

Ihe raid was cancelled. An hour or so later the aerodrome was shrouded in a dense blanket of fog, through which l it would have been impossible sal>‘v to land a machine. “Meteor” -probabKsaved ‘the squadron anything from a <iiozen to eighteen machines that night. The sea has -been charted; the air will be charted. We already know many of the prevailing air-streams. In a year or itlwo it will be possible for an aerial navigation company to ring up “Air We at he" Headquarters” to ascertain ihe approximate direction and velocity of the wind at all heights, 'the conditions of visibility, and the chances of rain or fog over given routes. Submarine navigation round <>ur coasts has taught us something of the complexity of sea-ways and currents. The air channels and drifts arc even more complex. But they are -beginning to be understood; and before many years have passed the permanent air streams and traffic lanes will be charted almost as definitely as the tramway--ines from 'Westminster to Tooting.