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Aviation History
1932
1932 - 0379.PDF
FLIGHT, APRIL 22, 1932 tion will be £25,000. The aerodrome is bounded on the north and east by Langstone Harbour, on the west by the Southern Railway line, and on the south by an 18-hole golf course. A proposed route for the Eastern Road extension, which will mean a new route out of Portsmouth, will run alongside the eastern boundary of the aerodrome. Thus its situation is considered ideal. With the sea on two sides there is provision for a future seaplane base, and to clinch transport facilities there is the railway on another boun dary. The golf course is at hand to provide pleasant diversion, while a car journey for 12 min. brings one to the civic centre of Portsmouth, the Guildhall. Fifteen min. bus ride from the aerodrome takes one to the front at Southsea. A clubhouse, hangar, and a service hangar, approxi mately 130 ft. square and complete with lock-ups and workshops, are to be erected, together with a restaurant, Customs office and other essential offices. Wider public interest than usual is to be stimulated by developing the pleasure side of the aerodrome on Continental lines. STOKE IT ERE is another municipal * 1 aerodrome which began auspiciously by being declared open by H.R.H. Prince George —on July 1, 1931. At that date, however, the whole area reserved for the purpose was not ready, not even a small portion being available for flying. Stoke City Council decided quite three years ago that " Stoke-on-Trent should be placed on the map in the avia tion world." The district was well surveyed for a suitable site and the present one at Meir selected. About 185 acres were purchased, which permitted a runway of upwards of 1,000 yd., the shortest distance in any direction being over 800 yd. The subsoil is a giavelly marl of a fairly open and porous character. National Flying Services, Ltd., reported favour ably on the situation and the Council commenced the work of draining and levelling under an Unemployment Relief Scheme, thereby obtaining a grant from the Unem ployment Grants Committee. It was a big task, for internal hedges and trees were uprooted, drains laid to take Situated in the " Potteries," Stoke municipal aerodrome serves a wide area, and its position with regard to the town ensures that it shall be reasonably free from the smoke so prevalent in the district. the water from various pools, hundreds of loads of soil ex cavated and deposited where required elsewhere, and in addition quantities of filling material had to be carted to the site. Ditches were piped and connections thereto picked up, and subsidiary drains laid where required. The aerodrome is only one mile from Stoke in the south- south-east, or a 15-min. journey by car from the town centre. As the prevailing wind is south-west the site is not affected by the smoky area. There is ample land available for factories on a lease of 23 years, and water, electricity and gas supplies are provided. Rates in this district are 17s. in the £ per annum. National Flying Services, Ltd., have erected a hangar which holds 18 folded aircraft, and the Air Ministry, who granted a private licence for a portion of the site in 1930, now promise a full licence. Stoke has incurred an expenditure of £32,000 in prepar ing this aerodrome, and like other towns which have provided municipal aerodromes they look forward to the development of air services between their city, London, and all the important centres in the country. AIRPORTS TO BE CROM several of the towns which have purchased sites r for municipal aerodromes, but not yet fully developed them, we have received reports which show the position to be as follows: — Leicester has appropriated 154 acres of Corporation land and is at present considering plans for its preparation. Carlisle purchased 264 acres of land adjoining the northern boundary of the city about two years ago, and they are ready to consider its development as an aerodrome " when necessary " We would suggest that ' when necessary " applies at once. Even the small amount ot inland air traffic active to-day must avoid towns that otter no convenient landing area. It cannot be too often re peated that aerodromes must precede air traffic. Walsall was one of the towns which sought the advice of Sir Alan Cobham some time ago, and acting upon nis recommendation they acquired a site of about 250 acres situated two miles from the centre of the town Locally it is felt that in view of the close proximity of the site to the South Staffordshire industrial area, it could best De This map on the right shows the position municipal aerodromes in England :— % Towns with licensed aerodromes. (j Towns which have purchased sites. B Towns considering the purchase of sites • Towns with sites reserved. as regards 355
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