FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1915
1915 - 1029.PDF
Aviation Co. Chancing to meet Mr. F. E Etches whom I knew to be one of the moving spirits of this new firm, the other day, I lost no time in getting him to open out as to the progress he had made with regard to the new flying school he was starting. We were soon in the thick of aviation topics in general and flying schools in particular. It appears that Mr. Etches, who will be re membered as at one time manager to the late Mr Hamel and later to Mr. (now Lieut. R.F.C.) F. Goodden has been getting things on the move down south. 'The result is that the Bournemouth Aviation Co. has secured a very fine flying-ground just outside that popular South Coast resort, where shed accommodation is already provided for the school machines, of which two are actually on the ground, the 45 and 60 h.p. Anzani- engined L. and P. biplanes, referred to in " Eddies " last week. Two more are following shortly, both single seaters. One will be fitted with a 35 " Y " type Anzani, and the other with a 40-45 h.p. engine of the same make. The flying ground itself is beautifully level and—a very important factor—well drained, the soil being of a gravelly nature. An area of between 200 and 250 acres is available, on which there are no large trees. A few low hedges that cut across the ground in places are not thought likely to interfere with the school work to any extent. Long runs are available for rolling and " straights." For more advanced pupils who wish to get experience in cross-country flying, permission has been obtained from the Home Office to fly over an area of about fifteen miles radius to the north and west, about five miles to the east, and a mile or so to the south and south-west. As the new aerodrome is situated at Talbot village, north-west of Bournemouth, it is just about a mile from the centre of the town, and less than five minutes' walk from the trams running to Winton. XXX As the 'drome is well sheltered on practically all sides, and fogs are mainly conspicuous by their absence, it is hoped that it will be possible to have school going nearly every day all the year round, and quick tuition is, I under stand, to be one of the features. Should a pupil wish to gain a little extra practice after obtaining his certificate, it is there for the taking. Those who would like to be on the spot, so as to draw full advantage of early morning calms, will be able to find comfortable "digs." within a few minutes of the aerodrome on the Talbot Estate. It seems to me that for many contemplating taking up aviation, a visit to Bournemouth, and a look round the new school to ascertain its methods, should well repay them. Everything being well, it is expected that school work will be in full swing before the beginning of the new year. Of the instructors who will look after the tuition, mention may be made of Mr. F. King, who obtained his brevet some time ago at the Ruffy-Baumann school at Hendon. xxx As briefly announced in our last issue, the marriage of Flight-Commander S. V. Sippe, D.S.O, R.N .A.S..to Miss Mabel D'Arcy, took place at the Church of the Assumption, Warwick Street, on Thursday of last weeK, the bride being given away by Lord Athlumney. exploits which won for him the D.S.O. and the Legion of Honour. Before the war Mr. Sippe was beat known for his piloting of the Bristol machines, of which he has tested and demonstrated a great number in pretty well all parts of the Continent. Heartiest congratulations to the happy pair. XXX Forty-five miles in 24^ minutes is pretty good going, don't you think ? Yret aforesaid distance was covered in the aforesaid time the other day by Mr. Sydney Pickles. I can see in my mind's eye the censorial thumbs twitching in their eagerness to turn anti-skywards. It is O.K., however, I am not giving figures of one of our really fast machines, the secret of the high speed having not so much to do with the 'bus itself as with the generosity of my great namesake, who lent a helping hand. It came about in this way: Pickles had been testing some machines at Bognor, and as there was a Short pusher waiting to be delivered at—some other South Coast station, and shed accommodation were none too plentiful at Bognor, Pickles was asked if he would undertake the flight. Being nothing if not a good sport he agreed to try, and as soon as he and his passenger were seated and the engine started the 'bus jumped into the air, hardly making any headway against the wind. As soon as she was turned towards the east, however, she got up speed, and keeping out over the sea, Brighton was passed and left behind. Climbing to about 3,000 ft. the " bumps " became less violent until Pickles got abreast of his destination. By the time a turn had been made into the wind the aerodrome he was making for had been considerably overshot, and a fight had to be made fur it. Here the gusts came in chunks over a well-known promontory, and Pickles and his passenger had a pretty "•c uiiue Deing given away uy *-.«"* — - - . Commander Sippe, it will be remembered, took part in the historical raid on Friedrichshafen as well as in the raids on Cologne and Diisseldorf and other mentonous Flight-Commander S. V. Sippe, D.S.O., and hi* bride. 993
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
