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Aviation History
1927
1927 - 0598.PDF
AUGUST 4, 1927 D RIVA FLYING A Section of FLIGHT in the Interests of the Private Owner, Owner-Pilot, and Club Member THE GROWTH OF PRIVATE FLYING THE interest peculiar to private flying lies in its direct appeal to the man-in-the-street. It is his particular sphere in this expanding aeronautical age, or it is designed for that ultimate purpose. It embodies a practical example of flying which he can pursue, although it may at present have its financial burdens, which puts it beyond the reach of all for whom it is intended. But that is a minor ill, natural in the early struggle for survival. It will pass. The main point is that private flying knocks flying off its pedestal and makes it commonplace ; and that which is commonplace is the mono- poly of the man-in-the-street, for he is commonplace, the back-bone of the earth. He has no truck with pioneering in life for he has neither the time nor the means. He only wants the things that have been tried and proved, when it becomes his equally important duty to carry them through as a common activity ; to attach them to life, as it were. This establishment of private flying is the first attempt to give him a place in aeronautics of his own. Previously he has had to be content to sit back and admire that which was beyond his reach and comprehension. He only knew flying as spectacular and of a purely impersonal nature. Today, the sensational in flying has no value to him for it only proves what he cannot do. Only that which a private flier can do is of value to private flying. Eventually, it will be the means of knocking all sensation out of flying and nobody will then be distinctive because they fly ; on the contrary, they will be distinctive if they do not fly. Now, it is easy to see that private flying has its coming value in its direct adaptation to the common needs of life. Flying is eminently suitable for the common crave for hurrying, but, paradoxically, it satisfies it with the least apparent hurry. It also has many minor advantages over the ordinary means of travel. There is a comfortable freedom from the clutches of rigid time-tables enforced by others and standing room only. No ticket is necessary as evidence of one's honesty, and there is no danger of being caught travelling in the wrong class. You are not limited to the white line, neither are vou at the mercy of the white glove. Every time the throttle is open in an excess of desire for speed it does not mean forty shillings and a caution. There are no traffic blocks and the roads are not narrow. You are as free as the birds in the air because you are birds in the air. You literally " drop in " on friends now. That term " drop in " is always misapplied. It is obviously an aeronautical term. You do not " drop in " on anyone by road ; you merely arrive. You may get a " drop in " but that is a totally different thing. A New List of Private Owners The expansion of private flying is clearly indicated by this second list of owners given below and by the illustration showing " mass production " at Stag Lane. With the first list published in FLIGHT, April 14, the total of registered private owners is now 52. This figure must not be carelessly assumed as also representing all private fliers, who, of course, will far outnumber those who own machines. It will be noted that since her recent tour in the Hon. Geoffrey Cuncliffe's " Moth," piloted by Capt. C. Barnard, the Duchess of Bedford has become a private owner. Capt. Bailey has had his own machine painted with the colours of his regiment. Mrs. Eliott-Lynn, who owned an S.E.TA previously, has now both a " Moth " and an " Avian." Lieut. R. R. Bentley has had his " Moth " fitted as a single-seater, the passenger cockpit having extra petrol tanks installed. Mr. M. G. \V. Burton owns the first private light-seaplane, his " Moth " being fitted with Short floats. Although this new list clearly reveals the sustained popularity of " Moths " it is interesting to note that other light aeroplanes which have hitherto been lying low are coming into the picture, and finding a deserved favour with owners. Very soon we believe they will be even more promi- nent if the lists of reserved registration markings are any criterion. The "Wood Pigeons," owned by F./O. Scraggs and Mr. Luther Taylor, are stable companions of the " Wid- geons." The D.H.53's are the single-seater monoplanes, not to be confused, of course, with the new D.H. racing monoplane. MASS PRODUCTION AT STAG LANE —This assembly of twenty "Moths " was taken at Stag Lanerecently, and with the exception of getting them lined up no previous arrangements had been made for their presence. The group includes those owned by Lady Bailey, Lord Ossulston, the Hon. GeoffreyCuncliffe, Capt. W. R. Bailey, Mr. D. Kittel and Capt. Eric Hayes. 550
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