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Aviation History
1932
1932 - 0346.PDF
FLIGHT, APRIL 15, 1932 Municipal Aerodromes A descriptive survey of the established Municipal Aerodromes which not only tells our readers what amenities are to be found at each place—both Flying and Social—but also gives information of particular value to those whom it is hoped will establish factories and works on the boundaries of these aerodromes P ERS1STENT propaganda in a variety of forms during the last five years has so far resulted in the permanent establishment of eleven municipal aerodromes, the definite purchase of suitable sites by ten other towns, and the expert inspection and reser vation of ninety-six further sites. Today it may reason ably be said that practically every town of importance has evinced sincere interest in the project of a municipal aero drome in addition to those which have been sufficiently enterprising to take the lead. Whether the present result of the intensive propaganda is satisfactory to those who have been responsible for it, it is difficult to say. Certainly as far as the needs of aviation are concerned the result is but a beginning. Eleven muni cipal aerodromes are not likely to induce prospective promoters of internal airline schemes to make a start, neither should they appreciably swell the activities of air taximen. The latter no doubt still occasionally regretfully turn away an urgent fare because they cannot land within a reasonable distance of the desired destination. Unless our incurable optimism is playing havoc with our imagina tion, it seems to us that even in these times of unbridled economy the use of the air taxi would spread like a con flagration if every town could welcome air travellers with the ordinary facilities of a properly-equipped aerodrome. That there would likewise be a great increase in the private ownership of light aircraft is also a matter not to be doubted. The lack of aerodromes is certainly restrict ing the flying hours of existing private owners and impels them to turn southwards for the Continent on the least provocation. From the airman's viewpoint our little islands still remain to be discovered. This restricted internal air traffic of to-day probably disappoints those enlightened civic authorities who have established their aerodromes at considerable expense, but they must gently be persuaded from blaming the aviation authorities who induced them to take the step. They must blame the towns which have not hastened to emulate them. The Influence of Joyriders To those whose earnest propaganda inspired the present number of towns to establish aerodromes the result is not disappointing after five years' endeavour, particularly if the stringency of the times is borne in mind. If we men tion the work of illustrious joyriders like Sir Alan Cobham and Capt. Charles Barnard we must also remind our readers that the years of touring round the country by the old- established joyriding concerns such as Surrey Flying Ser vices, the Cornwall Aviation Co., and Berkshire Avia tion Tours, to mention but three, had already planted the seed of airmindedness. Their work in each town always received a good Press, and they never failed to exploit it as a pulpit for preaching the message of municipal aero dromes. They gave many civic officials their aerial baptism. Above all, they carried thousands of passengers with absolute freedom from casualties, which must have planted tremendous faith in their public. Fairmindedness must accord them first place in any consideration of those who have spread the gospel by practice rather than the spoken word. FLIGHT itself has consistently devoted space to the sub ject, and in 1927 we voluntarily undertook a kind of survey of the country to collect all the available information about fields that had been used for flying during and since the war, in the hope of finding out how many could still be retained. With the valuable assistance of Maj. R. H. S. Mealing and Mr. C. B. Collins, of the Directorate of Civil Aviation, whose own expert advice has been liberally dis persed amongst towns interested in or indifferent on the subject, we were able to communicate with the owners or tenants of these fields and discover whether they were available or otherwise. Finally, a mass of information was collected, much of it naturally of a negative nature, and it was passed on to an authoritative body better able to make use of it. This survey enlightened us into the attitude towards aviation of the landing-owning class when their own acres were the subject of inquiry. In scarcely one case was the attitude unfavourable. We eventually concluded at that time that, as far as country aerodromes were concerned, they could be obtained easily and under most satisfactory 1erms. Descriptive Details We have now collected descriptive details of the estab lished municipal aerodromes and sites definitely purchased for immediate development, and we publish them below, In particular, we would draw the attention of existing and prospective aircraft manufacturers to the facilities offered for manufacturing by most of these municipal aerodromes. Assuming that the terms of tenancy are satisfactory, it is obviously advantageous to a new manufacturer or an air craft repair concern to be able to establish works at a municipal aerodrome, for it will inevitably become a centre of considerable aerial activity. To be on the spot is half the battle in business. IPSWICH I- YIN"G to the south-east of the town, approximately 1\ *—' miles from the business centre, the municipal aero drome at Ipswich comprises a site of 144 acres. A main road to the town is within 100 yards of the club-house, and along this operates a trolley 'bus service. Thus the aerodrome is as readily accessible for air travellers as the railway station usually is for rail travellers. Half-a-mile away to the south-west runs the River Orwell, and Felix stowe and the seaport of Harwich are not far away, so that the aerodrome is very convenient for aircraft setting off for the Hook of Holland and the Continent generally. The site is remarkably level and affords runways in all direc tions from between 800 and 1,150 yards in length. In altitude the site is 125 ft. above Ordnance Datum, with a sub-soil of sand and gravel, and a light, self-draining surface soil. Water never lingers on this surface. There are two hangars available, each capable of housing three light planes, and one of the hangars is fitted with a work bench. Water and electric light are installed, and a licensed ground engineer is in attendance daily. The club- 0 _|^^^jgifflLlPSVVlCH / ff^k. W^pQ£g£ME f 1 ^l J MILES 1 2 3 r5^ > 4 1 IPSWICH : A municipal aerodrome which adjoins the town and so shortens business men's trips. 322
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