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Aviation History
1919
1919 - 0568.PDF
the same as an aerodrome with less facilities and accommoda tion). Of these 116 have already been relinquished for purposes of cultivation, etc., while about ioo will be required for the time being by the Royal Air Force. There remain, therefore, about 120 aerodromes and landing-grounds which will ultimately be available for civil aviation. At very many of these there are extensive buildings, and it is possible that with the progress of civil aviation Town Councils, public bodies or important commercial firms interested in the subject, may be disposed to avail themselves of the opportunity of acquiring a " going concern " in an aerodrome equipped with ready-made accommodation. Owing to the necessity for completing running contracts for material, for maintaining the power of remobilisation in case of necessity, and to the sudden cessation of the War, wastage of equipment overseas, the demand for storage accommodation in England at the moment is very great. This implies that at many of the aerodromes marked for ultimate disposal, the buildings will for some time be largely required for service machines, causing a deficiency in storage facilities which may prevent potential purchasers from taking over the aerodromes. The question of storage accommoda tion, however, is one of a temporary nature, and as conditions become more normal the situation will become easier owing to military equipment being relegated to military aerodromes. In the meantime a certain easement may be effected by the erection of Bessonneaux and temporary hangars. Choice of Routes In spite of the storage and other difficulties, the Govern ment has decided to open up certain trunk aerial routes at once. These routes have not been laid down arbitrarily— as history relates was done by a certain Tsar of Russia, in the case of a railway—by ruling a line on the map from place to place. They have been chosen with reference to the situation of existing aerodromes and military demands, and in their arrangement an attempt has been made not only to establish direct communication between London and Ireland, and London and the North, etc., but also to cater for some of the larger and more important centres of popula tion which lie along the routes. The routes at present suggested, together with the more important stations (" station " being the term used for an aerodrome or landing-place), are :— (1) London—Scotland Hounslow. Copmanthorpe. Wyton. Catterick. Harlaxton. Redcar South Carlton. , Newcastle. New Holland. Turnhouse Doncaster. Renfrew. (2) London—Dublin Hounslow. North Shotwick. Witney. Baldonnel. Castle Bromwich. (3) London—Manchester—Belfast Hounslow. Didsbury. Hucknall. Scale Hall. Sheffield. Luce Bay. Manywell Heights. Aldergrove. (4) Continental Route Hounslow. Lympne. (5) Dutch Route Hounslow. Hadleigh. (6) London—Plymouth Cattewater. Hounslow. Eastleigh. (7) London—Bristol Hounslow. Filton. Once a particular route has been declared open, the pilot of an aeroplane making the journey will find petrol, some accommodation, and where possible mechanics to handle his machine at each of the air stations named, and the practical value of the intimation now given lies in the fact that on and after May 1, any individual who complies with the terms of the regulations is at liberty to fly along these civil air routes, and to make use of the stations and facilities afforded. It should be noted by all those interested that the Government cannot guarantee to assist aircraft which may land elsewhere than at a specified station, and a pilot MAY I, 1919 descending, either by design or owing to force of circumstances, at an aerodrome off the route must not expect to find eithw mechanics, accommodation or petrol or oil at his disposal. Opportunities for Private Enterprise After deducting from the sum total those aerodromes which have been provisionally selected as stations along the proposed air routes, there will remain for disposal nearly 100, many of which are very well equipped. It is proposed to publish shortly a list of these showing the distance of each from the nearest railway station and postal town. There is, of course, no inherent necessity why these aerodromes, if not required for civil aviation, should not be used for other purposes, and it is possible that not aviation firms alone but other firms, such as engineering businesses, may desire to seize the opportunity of acquiring large buildings, valuable plant and open spaces of ground situated at important points throughout the country. Inquiries on this subject should be addressed to the Secretary, Air Ministry (C.G., C.A.). Appointed Aerodromes The control of traffic passing to and from overseas cannot but prove a difficult problem, and it is one upon which the Air Ministry has worked in close touch with the Home Office and His Majesty's Board of Customs and Excise. It has been decided that the aerodromes which can alone be used for this traffic, called " appointed " aerodromes, shall for the present be limited to four in number, and with the ex ception of the London terminal aerodrome at Hounslow, be on the coast. They are as follows :— For Continental Traffic—Lympne in Kent. For Dutch traffic via Harwich—Hadleigh in Suffolk. For Scandinavian traffic via the Humber—New Holland in Lincolnshire. For traffic direct to London—Hounslow in Middlesex. At these "appointed " aerodromes all outward and inward bound aircraft must touch, i.e., land for examination of goods and passengers. It has been suggested that these aerodromes would be better situated inland and not on the coast, the argument being that much of the time gained by aerial transit of goods would be lost if examination had to be carried out immediately on crossing the seaboard. But the diffi culties of control if such a system were adopted, and the lack of certainty as to what particular channels trade will follow have led to the provisional placing of them on the coast. For the convenience of pilots flying direct from the Continent to London, one " appointed " aerodrome, has been placed at Hounslow, whence pilots can proceed after examina tion, direct to their destination. It should be understood that the " appointed " aerodromes as at present selected, are by no means finally fixed as to situation, nor limited as to number. If sufficient trade and air traffic should grow up in any other direction, the question will be reconsidered, and " appointed " aerodromes will be established by the Air Ministry as necessary at other centres. Peace and War Hitherto, much of the progress in aviation has been due to War and War conditions, and it follows that at first the majority of machines used in civil aviation will be either actual War models or War models adapted. But types more suitable for pleasure and commercial work are already beginning to make their appearance, and for them, as has been the case with the earlier War models, rigid care and supervision in regard to construction and airworthiness will have to be insisted upon for the safety of the travelling public, and also the public which does not travel. For this duty, the Air Ministry will continue to be re sponsible. It will not in any way hinder development by imposing inspection on inventions or purely experimental machines, but it will insist on the inspection and certifica tion for general airworthiness of any passenger machine plying for hire. Not only the machine, but the pilot who carries passengers, and the aerodrome where he lands will be liable to periodical inspection, and if they are not passed as fit, the licence is liable to be withdrawn. Experience gained during the successful short spell of flying during Easter, when 972 people were carried, has been of assistance in drawing up the regulations. Any restrictions which have been imposed are for the safeguarding of the public, and it is believed that with the goodwill of firms and individuals concerned, the restrictions will be of benefit to the development of aviation as a whole. • ^ • • *• Airships for Commercial Purposes " IN response to a demand for the " Notes on Airships months ago, the Ministry has had it reprinted, and copies can be obtained from H.M. Stationery Office, at the price for Commercial Purposes," issued by the Air Ministry a few of 3d. 568
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