COST OF FLYING.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 11992, 1 June 1914, Page 4

COST OF FLYING.

It is estimated that the fuel and oil costs of an aeroplane of high power run into about £1 per hour of flight. The British Army has from 120 to 150 aeroplanes, and as each machine is expected to do about 250 hours' flying annually, the significance of high fuel costs will begin to bo appreciated. It will be measured by a fuel and oil bill of about £30f000 a year at retail prices. Those who read the signs of the times expect the rate of increase of aircraft in Britain to continue to 1000 aeroplanes, and many dozens of airships, within the next two years; meaning probably an annual fuel and oil bill of a quarter of a million sterling. It haß been further estimated that on the above supposition of development, aeronautics may be expected within

two years to take one-sixth part of the 'fuel consumption of all the motor vehicles in Britain. Of tho total consumption in England, estimated at about 100,000,000 gallons a year, it seems that 20,000,000 gallons are used by the omnibus and taxi-cabs of Loudon, while motor boats, motor cycled, and sundry users take 10,000,000 gallons, so that on this basis the 100,000 vehicles in England take 70,000,000 gallons. In tho face of tho foregoing, it is not surprising that Great Britain is making strenuous efforts to control oilfields in Persia and elsewhere.