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Aviation History
1928
1928 - 1069.PDF
NOVEMBER 15, 1928 AERODROME SCHEMES THE reports which reach us from all directions in this country •show the practical interest which the Air Ministry has raised on the aerodrome question by the despatch of its communica- tion to municipal authorities. Coming from such an authori- tative quarter it has been received as intended, that is, as a direct and sincere appeal on behalf of an urgent question, and it has met with a courteous reception. Council meetings have followed almost immediately and the project discussed optimistically and, we think, to some rapid purpose. The immediate attitude has been one of almost entire acquiescence. There now remains merely practical investigations by appointed committees for the scheme to formulate on a wide scale. Essentially the financial aspect has loomed foremost almost at once and introduced a guarded note to the pro- ceedings. But it does not seem that a barrier will arise over this, although there may be a few exceptions. Manchester offers a useful example of how insignificant "the financial question can be to a town, given certain natural possessions, such as a suitable site at hand. It is estimated that the chosen site for Manchester at Chat Moss, about 7 miles from the city, and 260 acres in extent, will need no more outlay than a paltry £100 to make it adaptable as a landing field. The primary expense will be merely that •entailed in clearing fences. It cannot be emphasised too often that the preliminary measure desired of municipal authorities is the allocation of an adequate area. They are not asked to make Croydons. Accepting these limits, it is reasonable to suppose that many towns can do as much as Manchester is doing at a similar negligible expense. Aerodromes in the complete sense can be left to develop as air traffic brings in revenue to ease that development. Incidentally, one can surmise that any town which provides a site would inevitably attract to itself a flying club, for the ground would be an appreciable part of the battle in the formation of such a club. To revert to Manchester, which is now considered to possess the first municipal aerodrome in the country (although many other towns have long since taken a sort of option on sites for the same purpose), one of the town's ambitions is to have a direct air service with the Continent and not merely remain satisfied with a linking up with Croydon. The Air Ministry has sanctioned the use of the chosen field. Sheffield will possibly respond to the Air Ministry's appeal by renewing its powers to acquire compulsorily the Coal Ashton aerodrome which many local people thought should have been purchased some years ago. Huts and workshops which were used when the aerodrome was active have been partly demolished, which is no loss, because after 10 years they would not be suitable for the demands of a modern aerodrome. The actual landing field is intact. Edinburgh Town Council is to examine this national scheme as it applies locally. The local press does not strike that note of spontaneous enthusiasm which is evidenced nearly everywhere else. It requests that investigation should be marked by caution ; it takes care to point out that it thinks time will elapse before an aerodrome will pay for itself. It also thinks that because Edinburgh must some day have its aerodrome it does not follow that it must be maintained by the municipality. It hints that the burden could possibly be taken up by private enterprise, and although it expresses a desire not to throw cold water on the project, it suggests that the Corporation could at least make diligent inquiry into the matter of sites and lay complete plans, so that it could act promptly and smoothly if the scheme was some day approved. This attitude makes it clear that the fact that aerodromes must precede air traffic has not been visualised, but it does not really count, because, as far as we are aware at the moment, it is not the attitude of the Edinburgh Town Council. Nottingham Corporation is to apply to Parliament in its next Bill for powers to establish a municipal aerodrome. Birmingham has 14,000 acres of land out of 50,000 acres devoted to industrial expansion which it is anxious to develop, and it is hinted that an aerodrome may be involved. Hull Chamber of Commerce has discussed the facilities of that city for land and sea air traffic. A seaplane or flying-boat service across the North Sea has been mooted as it would offer advantages to industrial towns like Sheffield. The sea journey, from Hull to Hamburg, for instance, takes 48 hours, whereas the distance would only take 4 hours by air transport. Letters have been addressed to various chambers of commerce seeking support. The President of the Hull Chamber of Commerce (Major A. J. Atkinson) stated that the operation of the service with three flying-boats and a machine in reserve would involve a capital of /124,000, and its initial success would depend on the establishment of an air mail service. For Reading, 130 acres of land have been purchased by Messrs. Phillips and Powis about 2 miles from the town, and the Air Ministry has approved of the site as an aerodrome. Work on the hangars will start shortly and early next year one may possibly see the aerodrome in full use, or at least in readiness. One believes it will also be used by the new Berks, Bucks and Oxon Aeroplane Club. L Sec, H, E. Perrin, Hon. Secretary, Secretary, H. J. London Aeroplane Club, Stag Lane, Edgware.3, Clifford Street, London, W.I. Bristol and Wessex Aeroplane Club, Filton, Gloucester. Secretary,Major G. S. Cooper, Filton Aerodrome, Patchway. Cinque Ports Flying Club, Lympne, Hythe.R. Dallas Brett, 114, High Street, Hythe, Kent. Hampshire Aero Club, Hamble, Southampton.Harrington, Hamble, Southampton. Lancashire Aero Club, Wodford, Lanes. Secretary, F. \V. Atherton,Woodford Aerodrome, Cheshire. Liverpool and District Aero Ciu&.Hooton, Cheshire. Hon. Secre-tary, Capt. Ellis, Hooton Aerodrome. Midland Aero Club, Castle Bromwich, Birmingham. Secretary,Major Gilbert Dennison, 22, Villa Road, Handsworth, Birmingham. Newcastle-on-Tyne Aero Club, Cramlington, Northumberland.Secretary, J. T. Dodds, Cramlington Aerodrome, Northumberland. Norfolk and Norwich Aero Club, Mousehold, Norwich. Secretary,G. McEwen, The Aerodrome, Mousehold, Norwich. Nottingham Aero Club, Hueknall, Nottingham. Hon. Secretary,Cecil R. Sands, A.C.A., Imperial Buildings, Victoria St., Nottingham. The Scottish Flying Club, 101, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow. Secre-tary, Harry \V. Smith. Southern Aero Club, Shoreham, Sussex. Secretary, C. A. Boucher,Shoreham Aerodrome, Sussex. Suffolk Aeroplane Club, Ipswich. Secretary, Maj. P. L. Holmes,The Aerodrome, Hadleigh, Suffolk. Yorkshire Aeroplane Club, Sherbura-in-Elmet, Yorks. Secretary,Lieut.-Col. Walker, The Aerodrome, Sherburn-in-Elmet. LONDON AEROPLANE CLUB REPORT for week ending November 10.—Pilot instructors : V. H. Bakerand F. R. Matthews. Ground engineer : C. Humphreys. Aircraft: Ihe following machines wore in commission during the week: d-EBN\,G-EBMP, G-EBXS. Total flying time for tin- week : 26 hrs. 10 mins. Dual instruction : 25 members were given dual instruction during theweek, the flying time being 15 hrs. 15 mins. Solo flying : 16 members made solo flights during the week, the timebeing 10 hrs. 55 mins. Christmas raffle.—It has been decided to raffle one of the club D.H. Moths,"Cirrus Mark I," complete with C. of A. Tickets, 10s. each. We shall be glad to supply any club or R.A.F. Mess with tickets for sale amongst itsmembers. Tickets will be issued in books of 10. The draw will take place during the s«cond week in January, 1929, or earlier, if the tickets aredisposed of before the end of the year. Shed accommodation.—The new hangar for the accommodation of the club aircraft is now nearing completion, and should be ready within the next fortnight. Members' Rooms.—The club rooms for the use of members will be built immediately in front of the club hangar with all windows facing the aerodrome. It is hoped to be in occupation of these rooms before Christmas. BRISTOL '3D WESSEX AEROPLANE CLUB, LTD. REPORT for the week ending Saturday, November 10.—Pilot instructor :E. B. W. Bartlett. Ground engineer : A. W. Webb. Machines in com- mission : (2) G-EBYH, G-EBTV. Flying time for the week : 8 hrs. 5 mins.Pupils under instruction and hours flown : (6) 4 hrs. 35 mins. Soloists under instruction and hours flown: (1) 5 mins. Number of "A" pilotsflying and hours flown : (4) 1 hr. 55 mins. Number of passengers carried and hours flown : (3) 45 mins. Number of test flights and hours flown :(6) 45 mins. There is very little of interest to report. Members have taken fulladvantage of the few bright intervals, and we record Mr. Rogers's first solo, which he negotiated well and shows promise of an early " A " licence.Miss Massingham and Mr. Pratten did their first flights. The Hon. C. Dutton with Mr. Bartlett did a two-hour flight to Sherborne and back. CINQUE PORTS FLYING CLUB REPORT for week ending Saturday, November 10.—Pilot instructor :Maj. H. G. Travers, D.S.C. Ground engineer : Mr. R. H. Wynne. Machines : de H.60 Moths G-EBNN and G-EBYJ. Total time for week : 13 hrs. 30mins.Dual instruction : Mr. Worsell, 1 hr. 15 mins. ; Mr. Swinnard, 15 mins.; Mr. Sargent, 2 hrs. : Mr. Law, 4 hrs. 15 mins. ; Mr. Somerset, 45 mins. 991
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