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Aviation History
1919
1919 - 0309.PDF
MARCH 6, 1919 would be telegraphed (by wire or wireless) or telephoned all over the kingdom. Again, on a night when there was a layer of high clouds, a machine might climb up through the clouds long before reaching these shores, cross the coast unnoticed by those below, and continue its journey out of sight. The engine would be shut oft above the clouds, and the machine would glide silently down with lights extinguished, unheard and unseen. The question of the landing would then be the factor upon which would turn the possibility of detecting the machine. To land it in bright moonlight would be risky, even to a skilled pilot. To land it on a cloudy, dark night, would be a feat attended with great danger, as every pilot knows, and one which few would voluntarily undertake. It would thus be necessary to land by means of a searchlight from the machine, parachute flares dropped down, or by lights or flares shown on the ground by an accomplice. The period for which any of these lights must be shown would render the manoeuvre visible to the airguards below. It is probable, however, than no elaborate methods of this kind would be attempted, tor perhaps the best and safest method, from the smuggler's point of view, of " delivering the goods " by night would also be the simplest, namely, by a straightaway flight from, say, France to any aerodrome in the British Isles in a permitted area, flying fairly low, observ ing all lighting and other regulations ; then throwing over board on the way a carefully packed parcel containing contra band goods. The latter would have be dropped within a . ew miles of the aerodrome into a pre-arranged field in which an accomplice would be waiting. He would, if necessary, indicate his position on the ground by means of a flash-lamp or other signal exhibited with great care. f^There are several suggestions that might be put forward to deal with night smuggling. One method would be organised search in areas in which it was suspected that contraband goods had been dropped. This would provide no remedy at all where smuggling had taken place unsuspected, and, even if suspected, tlie area to be searched would often be so great as to make a thorough search impracticable. Another method would be the adoption of similar means to the octroi system of France. The country would be divided up into districts, over the boundaries of which the passage 01 goods which had previously been smuggled into the district by air would be detected by suitable examination. Such a system, however, besides being a very expensive one in the matter of the provision of thousands of additional Customs officials all over the country, would do so much to interfere with legitimate internal commerce that it would be found unworkable. Another means, simple but drastic, would be inter national prohibition of night flying by privately-owned machines. It would then be almost impossible for a pilot to begin a flight at night, continue over land and water with a noisy engine and land again in this or in his own country <*> <$> " The All-Steel Aeroplane " THE lecture arranged by the Royal Aeronautical Society to be delivered by Capt. A. P. Thurston, D.Sc., R. A.F., on Wednesday last, had to be postponed, as Capt. Thurston is unfortunately suffering from a severe attack of influenza. Folkestone-Cologne Mail Service THE aerial service between Boulogne and Cologne has now been linked up with Hawkinge aerodrome near Folkestone. The initial flight during the week-end proved successful, and only the very worst weather will prevent pilots of the 120th squadron from maintaining the service between Hawkinge and Maison Sclle in the north of France. Twenty- three bags were taken across on the first journey, three machines carrying six bags and another taking five. The four aeroplanes, of the D.H. 9 type, flew in formation, starting at 9 a.m.. their cargo being securely fastened in the portion usually set aside for the observer. They made a splendid crossing, and after a short stay at the dehvery station they returned, reaching Hawkinge just before 3 in the afternoon. They did not bring any mails back with them, and it is not anticipated they will do so for some time. The result of the aerial service will be that the mails will reach Cologne within xo hours of their despatch from London. From Paris to South America AMONG I ambitious flights which are to be attempted by Frenchmen is one by Lieut. Fontan, who is said to have been authorised to fly from Paris via Casablanca to Dakar m Senegambia, and thence across the Atlantic to Pernambuco. asain without being detected. There is thus little doubt that aerial smuggling could be entirely prevented in this way. Any pilot starting out late in the day and flying on until darkness overtook him would have to give an entirely satisfactory account of his action to the authorities. But when flying in peace time really becomes a part of our daily life, like " taking the train," the making of an international law of this nature would be practically impossible. In fact, all the difficulties of dealing with aerial smuggling could be just as easily settled by the introduction of universal free trade ! Probably the most workable system would be for the pilot of a privately-owned machine to be obliged to apply for a permit for each proposed flight to be carried out partly or wholly by night. He would be required to state his route and his intended landing place. His machine would be examined for contraband before setting out. On his permanent licence an entry, with date and hour, would be made, to indicate that he was the holder of such a permit. If a pilot were to start his flight late in the day and make a day landing en route, the production of his licence upon landing would reveal this entry, and the airguard would keep the machine under observation until it had resumed its journey. To take once more the example of attempted smuggling from France to this country, but this time under the night- flying permit system, the machine might succeed in setting out at night from a private aerodrome in France without hindrance. We ae assuming that the pi ot had pa posely omitted to obtain a permit. We will even suppose the machine could leave without the airguards or police knowing from what aerodrome it started. This is unlikely, however, for the noise of its engine when commencing the flight would attract their attention to its neighbourhood. It would then fly over to England and drop its load. But, if unde tected up to this point, the chances would be much against its landing on this side or returning and landing in France unseen, ani the pi ot would fin 1 it diificuit to exp ain away his ifegal flight under stxh suspicious circumstances. O.her ways ot evaling theresu'ations would doubtless be attempted, but it would be the basiness of the ai guard se. vice to find suitab'e counter measures. In conclusion, it should be borne in mind that the organisa tion here suggested is not intended to be taken as complete in every particular, nor would it be created all at once. To name only one point, it is probable that wireless would play a much greater part in it than has been indicated. The rapidity of the development of the ai guard sysiem would depend upon the progress made in the general use of aircraft. At the same time it cannot be overlooked that this progress maybe greatly accelerated by inventions of which we have no conception at present. Except for such unforeseen developments, however, the trend of aeronautical progress seems already to have shown itself and the con tinuance of its present tendencies may necessitate, sooner or later, such safeguards as are here outlined. He is to pilot a 500 h.p. two-motor aeroplane, which will carry 2,400 litres of petrol. He will carry with him a mechanics At Dakar he proposes to change motors and then attempt a solo flight, at the first favourable opportunity, from Dakar to Pernambuco, passing from Dakar to Cape Verde, some 500 miles, thence to San Paulo, a distance of 1,600 miles, thence to Fernando, some 380 miles, and thence to Per nambuco, another 340 miles. Capt. Coli and Lieut. Roget also propose to make a similar flight. More W.RJV.F.S Wanted THE Ministry of Labour announces that there are vacancies in the clerical, domestic and motor transport sections of the Women's Royal Air Force. In the Motor Transport section only thoroughly experienced applicants will be considered. Applications for employment in these categories will be received through the Employment Ex changes, where full particulars of the vacancies concerned and of the terms and conditions of sen-ice are available. To Football Match by Aeroplane FOLLOWING the example of one of the Service baseball teams in the United States, which proceeded to its match by aeroplane a few weeks ago, a French football team pro poses to fly on Saturday from Paris to Brussels, where they are due to play the first match with the Belgians on Sunday. They will travel in a four-engined Voisin machine, and four other aeioplanes will convey the officials and others. 309
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