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Aviation History
1920
1920 - 0912.PDF
to giving passenger flights over the Swiss lakes and overAlpine scenery, and are interesting themselves in the estab- lishment of regular air services. The Swiss " NationalAviatik " Company of Dubendorf has taken over from the Government the air service which formerly carried mailsbetween Dubendorf, Berne, Lausanne and Geneva. Three Other routes have been studied by this company, viz. :—Lausanne-Yverdon-Neuchatel Lake-Aar Valley-Bale. Zurich- St. Moritz, via Grisons Canton. Zurich-Lugano, via Luco-magno. The Ad Astra Schweizerische Luftverkehrsgesell- schaft (Swiss Air Traffic Co.), Zurich, has carried out a largenumbsr of passenger flights at Locarno and Zurich. It is reported that the company contemplates next year theoperation of an aerial service between Geneva and Friedrichs- hafen to connect the French line Marseilles-Geneva withthe German airship line Friedrichshafen-Berlin-Stockholm. The " Societe Aero," Zurich (Comte, Mittelholzer and Co.),has, according to a report, now amalgamated with the "Ad Astra " company. Formerly it undertook passenger flightsand the manufacture of photographs and films taken above the Alps. The Avion Tourisme S.A. (Aeroplane TouringCo., Ltd.), Geneva, has hydro-aeroplane bases at Lugano and Locarno, from which passenger trips are made roundthe lakes. ASIA. China—Foreign countries are continuing their endeavoursto open up Chinese markets for their products, and in view of the predominant position which the French hold in theChinese Postal Administration, it is not unlikely that they will make a strong bid for the privilege of inaugurating anair postal service. Italy is also making an effort,to secure a footing, and a report was received towards the end ofJanuary, 1920, that a shipment of Italian aeroplanes had arrived at Shanghai, where the machines were on view.(Vide also under " Italy.") The Anglo-American Tobacco Company is reported to have decided to use aeroplanes tocarry their men and medical supplies into the interior. An American company is reported to have shipped in Januaryseaplanes to Hong Kong for operating commercially on the coast of China and adjacent waters. Japan—During the last six months aviation has madelittle progress. There are signs, however, that the necessity for an efficient air service is recognised. A special com-mittee has been appointed to deal with civil aviation, and it is expected that as a result of its deliberations, a permanentAviation Board composed of eight representatives from the Army, four from the Navy and fourteen from the CivilService will be established. The President of the Japanese Imperial Aviation Association, Gen. Nagaoka, who istouring through Europe and America, arrived in England towards the end of March, in order to make a thoroughinvestigation of civil aviation in this country. Two com- panies have been formed with the object of inaugurating airservices. Siam—-A Royal Decree was published on February 9,1920, stating that the King ratified, on February 2, the Air Convention of which Siam is a Signatory State. A furtherDecree of the same date entrusts the Minister of War with the entire direction of all matters concerning air navigation. In this country the French appear to have established adominating position in aviation matters. According to a report of January, 1920, an air postal service was about tobe established between Bangkok and Uboh by the Siamese Flying Corps. An Italian Mission arrived in Siam inOctober of last year. AMERICACuba—It is reported that the Cuban Government intends to devote 15,000,000 dollars (£3,950,000) to the purchase ofaircraft. Representatives of the French Farman firm are arranging for services between Cuba and the United Statesand French pilots are already in the country. South American States—Considerable interest in aviationis displayed by all these States. France, Italy, che United States and Great Britain are entering into keen competitionto establish markets for their aircraft products. (i) Argentina—A decree, authorising the formation of anAviation Division in the Department of the Ministry of Marine, was signed on October 17, 1919, and 250,000 pesosare earmarked in the 1920 Budget for the purchase of war material. There exist at present three Air Transport Com-panies :—(a) The Compania Franco Argentina des Transportes Aereos, among the objects of which is to represent the Frenchaviation industry in Argentina ;' (b) the Compania Argentina des Transportes Aereos, which is closely associated with thefirm of Saenz Mai and Co. (these two companies owe their origin largely to the acquisition of the surplus stock of theFrench and Italian Missions that arrived in October and March 1919, respectively); (c) the Sociedad Rio Platense de •AUGUST 19, 1920 Aviacion. A new mission from Italy (the second) arrivedat Buenos Aires on March 29. This mission was sent by the Italian Ansaldo Company, and is composed of a numberof pilots and mechanics, to be followed by some machines. The United States are represented by the Curtiss Aeroplaneand Motor Corporation. It is reported that this company is engaged in teaching Argentine officers and civilians atPalomar, and it is believed that the Ministry of Marine has purchased a few Curtiss machines.(ii) Brazil—The French have'obtained valuable contracts, partly as a result of the efforts of their mission which wasestablished in the country so far back as October, 1918, one of which is to equip and train the Brazilian Air Service.The Italians have also sent a mission to Brazil, but beyond carrying out propaganda, it does not at present appear tohave achieved any definite results. It is understood that 9 Curtiss aeroplanes have been ordered from the UnitedStates. A prize of £10,000 has been offered for the first successful flight between Lisbon and Rio, and it is believedthat the Ministry of Marine has been authorised to spend1 £10,000 to provide assistance.(iii) Chile—Several British aircraft firms are endeavouring to obtain concessions to institute commercial air services.A late R.A.F. officer was given charge, in November, 1918, of instruction at the military aviation camp. Owing tothe success achieved by him this contract was renewed for another year. A gift of aeroplanes by the British Governmentwas highly appreciated. (iv) Colombia—Colombia offers exceptional opportunitiesfor the employment of aerial transport, as throughout the greater part of the country the only other means of communi-cation are the river Magdalena and a limited mule service. On April n, 1919, a resolution, signed by the Minister of theInterior, was adopted, calling for public tenders for the transport of mails by air. The French have already obtainedconnections in this country, and in accordance with a contract entered into with the local Compania Colombianiade Navegacion Aerea (capital, £160,000) have undertaken to send out an expert staff of pilots and mechanics to buildsuitable aerodromes and establish services between various towns. Another company is reported to have been formedwith French capital, to establish a hydroplane service on the river Magdalena.(v) Ecuador—Italy has sent a mission to Ecuador and appears to be the first country to have obtained a footing.In addition to the Italian effort, the Americans are reported " to have offered to supply the Army of Ecuador with aeroplanes,.In December information was received that the Government of Ecuador was desirous of obtaining particulars of Britishaeroplanes for military use. (vi) Peru—This country is very mountainous and offersvery few places in which aeroplanes can land with safety. seaplanes could be used to advantage, as the coast is practic-ally free from storms during the whole year. In August information was received that the Peruvian Postmasterhad been authorised to ask for tenders from several European and American firms for the establishment of an air routebetween Tarma and Iquitos for the transportation of mail, passengers and freight. Several British firms have madeproposals to the Peruvian Government. It is believed that the French Military Mission which arrived in September hasbeen successful in arranging with the Government that it should be consulted on all questions of aviation. TheAmerican Curtiss Company has three machines in the country, and it is believed to be also endeavouring to secure thecontract for aerial services. United States—The creation of an Air Department has notyet materialised. Senator New's Bill to effect this was discussed by Congress, but after meeting with considerableopposition, based on the expenditure involved, it was returned to the House Committee on Military Affairs for review andamendment. There is, however, growing recognition of the importance and great possibilities of civil aviation throughoutthe country, and in view of favourable factors such as long distances, an equable climate and financial prosperity, itis probable that civil aviation in the United States will quickly develop as soon as public confidence has been secured.A number of States and cities have brought forward inde- pendent measures for the regulation of civil air navigation.In this respect it appears that a lack of co-ordination of legislation may result as is the case with the United Statesmotor laws. In the absence of Federal legislation, the United States Air Service has formulated rules of the air as a guideto pilots. A Bill was introduced on February 26 in the State Assembly of New York, to regulate the use of aircraft, andafter the first reading the Bill was referred to the Committee of the Judiciary. Official effort is principally confined to the operation of 914
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