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Aviation History
1932
1932 - 0239.PDF
FLIGHT. MARCH 11, 1932 MUCH controversy has been aroused by the decision of the Air Ministry to ban all instructional fly ing at Croydon after August of this year. The firms affected are naturally very concerned, be cause it places them in a rather awkward position, for, having worked up a good connection over a number of years, they are now faced with an entire stoppage of busi ness. They can hardly go to any other aerodrome, and hope to start where they have left off here, most of the recognised aerodromes having their own schools. There seems, therefore, no solution in that direction. Although it will undoubtedly hit these people hard, one must be un biassed, and look at the Air Ministry side of the question. Very probably, the Air Ministry as a body regret having to do this, but they have to look at the point of view of public safety as the foremost factor. Croydon is essen tially an Air Port, and with numerous pupils flying around the aerodrome, there is always a very real danger of a collision with one of the air liners. It may not happen for years, but the fact that the danger exists is very real and always present. One such accident would set back commercial aviation for many months ; therefore, the possibility of any such accident must be removed. The Air Ministry are undoubtedly taking the only safe course, and all the large operating companies are, I think, in entire agreement, although at the same time sorry for the HESTON ORK on the new Heston buildings is now almost finished. They will be officially opened within the next two or three weeks. The additions consist of an hotel with lounges, bar, restaurant and pilots' room, and a number of bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. The advantages of having an hotel actually on the aero drome are many. Not only will it be a pleasant place to stay for a week-end, but will also be a convenience for pilots or passengers passing near London who wish to stay for one night. Further, we cannot think of a greater welcome after a long day's; cross-country flying than a nice hot bath waiting for one, a restaurant ready with a meal at any time, then a comfortable lounge where one can sit and talk over the day's episodes. Again, what could be more convenient for an early morning start, say, for the Continent, than one's aeroplane right at the door, with Customs facilities and a weather bureau ready with the latest weather reports. The following is a list of different types of machines now housed at Heston, so that visitors to the aerodrome are enabled to make comparison with the various makes of aeroplanes now in production : — D.H. " Gipsy Moth," D.H. " Puss Moth," " Klemm " (many different engines), " Bluebird " (Hermes, Gipsy I). " Avian " (Hermes, Gipsy II and Genet Major), " Breda (Gipsy I), " Widgeon " (Hermes), Comper " Swift " (Pobjoy), " Spartan " (Hermes and Gipsy II), " Martin- side " (Nimbus), " Desoutter " (Hermes and Gipsy III), " Junker " (Jouches), " Hendy " (Hermes), Seagrave " Meteor " (two Gipsy Ill's), " Civilian Coupe " (Genet Major), D.H.53 (Bristol Cherub), "Redwing" (Genet), and " Spartan " mailplane (three Gipsy Ill's). Monday, February 29.—The high wind kept many people from flying, but, in spite of this, among the few who did venture out was Miss Sale-Barker, who, accom panied by F/O. Streatfield, arrived from Upavon. Tuesday, March J.—The "Cutty Sark " (G-ABBC) arrived back from Croydon, where it had undergone cer tain modifications. It has been sold by Henly, Ltd., on behalf of Mr. Francis-Francis to British Amphibious Air Lines, Ltd. Wednesday, March 2.—The " Cutty Sark " was flown to Hamble for conversion into a six-seater, when it is to be used for joy riding at Blackpool and taxi work to the Isle of Man. An Airwork machine, chartered by Gaumont Films, in spite of a very thick mist, was flown to Cheltenham to collect films of the steeplechases. The thick weather gave Capt. Ferguson, the pilot, an excellent opportunity of putting his navigational teachings into practice ; this he did with gratifying results. An increasing number of people now attend the School people whose living has depended on instructional flying. They still have the joy riding, however, and one hopes they will have a good season to counteract this instruc tional loss. ^ Miss Winifred Brown passed through here, on her "Avian," on Sunday, en route for Paris. We have not seen her for some time, but her charming smile is still as infectious as ever. Imperial Airways were again very busy on Saturday afternoon, joy riding with a Handley Page 42 and a Handley Page W.10, and the usual crowd of visitors in spected the aerodrome under the guidance of the Air Ministry guide. The Short " Valetta " is being erected here. It is understood that she is now to be a landplane, an* will probably be used by the Air Ministry for making various experiments in wireless, navigation, etc. The radio beacon erected at the end of the white line is still causing heated controversy. Many pilots consider that the best site for this alleged navigational aid would be Mitcham Common. There has been little of real interest during the past week, all services running to their normal schedule. The traffic figures for the week were:—Passengers, 896 ; freight, 34 tons. P. B. AIR PARK of Navigation, run by Capt. Ferguson in conjunction with the Flying School. Thursday, March 3.—Hearty congratulations were given to Capt. V. H. Baker by his many pupils on returning to duty after an illness which had kept him confined to bed for nearly two weeks. His eagerness to be in the air was clear proof of his fondness for flying. G-AAZM (" Puss Moth "), formerly the property of Mr. Nigel Norman, and now acquired by Mr. S. Davenport, looked extremely smart on coming out of Airwork, Ltd., paintshop with its new colouring of metallic blue and silver. Friday, March 4.—Mr. Leslie Runciman, on his " Puss Moth " (G-ABLG), made a quick flight to Paris, bringing back a passenger. G-ABEL, the " Puss Moth " of Lady Hay-Drummond- Hay, returned from Stag Lane fitted with a self-starter. This is the first " Puss Moth " in England to be so fitted, and greatly mystified many onlookers when the " prop " was seen dead in the air for some time and then, apparently, start again on its own. It is thought that many other machines will be so fitted, as it is a great convenience, especially to lady pilots. This is a car-type electric starter operated by a large accumulator, the whole outfit weighing something over 50 lb. A good story is told of a pilot flying to Hamble fairly low owing to cloud, who saw a panel on a lawn reading, " Please stunt." This he did, when two charming ladies appeared, waved, and put another strip down, " Thank you so much." Feeling very bucked, he recounted his experience on arrival at Hamble, but received a shock when he was told, " O.K., but the chap living next door reports all low-flying aeroplanes to the Air Ministry." Saturday, March 5.—G-AAVY, a Gipsy I, formerly the property of Mrs. Spencer Cleaver, returned and cleared Customs after a Continental tour commenced on January 13, demonstrating the Roberts patent aircraft stabiliser. Both the Italians and French have shown great interest in this invention, which was fully described in FLIGHT for January 15, 1932. Sunday, March 6.—" Puss Moth " D-2235, purchased from de Havillands for export to Germany, cleared Cus toms for Cologne, the occupants being Herr Benz and Frau Saulmann. Great Britain being off the gold standard appears to be benefiting the sale of aircraft to foreign countries, and quite a number have cleared Customs recently for Holland, France and Germany. The weather had a nice touch of spring, and instruction took quite a brisk turn. Air Com. Weir, accompanied by Mrs. Weir, chartered a plane and flew to Manston, while another was busy taking photographs in the Erith dis trict, one of the places to be photographed being Walls' ice-cream factory, which made many people of the opinion that summer must have arrived.
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