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Aviation History
1934
1934 - 1330.PDF
1334 FLIGHT. DECEMBER 13, 1934. WATE A SECTION FOR OWNER-PILOTS - • • : AND CLUB MEMBERS HAVING prepared my machine for the flight toAustralia and the Far East, I found that my preliminary trip to the Continent, which I had intended to be in the nature of a trial flight, involved me in several weeks' delay. This was no fault of the machine, but was due to the necessity for attending to certain busi- ness matters which involved visits to a number of aero- dromes in various countries which I have described in fore- going articles. The delay resulted in a rearrangement of plans which made it necessary to proceed direct instead of first returning to England as I had intended. The route originally planned was via Paris, Lyons, and Marseilles, which, of course, is the normal one if the intention is to go through Italy. As my Conti- nental tour had brought me to Mann- heim, my real start was actually made from there. Mannheim Airport, although not very big, is an excellent aerodrome with good facilities. Not wishing to re- turn through France and pick up my original route at Lyons, I was able to obtain all the necessary information and weather reports to enable me to pet my course through the Alps with the object of reaching Rome non-stop via Milan. The alternative routes considered were via the St. Gotthard Pass and the Simplon. I chose the latter, which, although rather longer, is, on the whole, to be recommended, and certainly provides a, most interest- ing flight if one takes every precaution to obtain accurate weather reports. In any case, the St. Gotthard route is rendered impracticable for private aircraft owing to the Swiss prohibited area in this region. .' •.. • - Prohibited Areas „ • THE question of prohibited areas in the various Conti-nental countries is a problem which will have to be given very sympathetic consideration by all concerned if private air touring, in particular, is to receive the encouragement it needs. Many of the most direct air routes between European territories axe made impossible by the restric- tions at present in force. Although in some cases "corri- dors," through which one may fly, are arranged for, wide detours are often rendered necessary, involving very con- siderable extra mileage. There is a tendency in some countries, such as Italy, for such areas to be increased; others are removing these impediments, Greece having abolished some fifteen or twenty formerly prohibited zones. Approaches to many important aerodromes are also im- peded in this way, notably Brindisi, Venice, Tunis, and Oslo. The. route chosen, leading down the beautiful Rhine Valley as far as Basle, and thence, via Neuchatel to Lausanne, is well worth while. From Lausanne one pro- ceeds along the north-east shores of the Lake of Geneva and down the Rh6ne Valley, passing Ville Martigny, from which point Mont Blanc is some thirty kilometres to the south. Continuing along the Rh6ne to the east, some of the loftiest peaks of the Bernese and Valais Alps axe visible. Among these the famous Matterhorn lies to the south. NOTES by LORD SEMPILL A.F.C., F.R.Ae.S. while the Jungfrau is seen some twenty kilometres to the north of the point at which one bears to the south to cross the Simplon Pass. Thence along the Val di Vedro one enters Italy, and, passing Domodossala, our course takes us across the lovely Lake Maggiore en route for Milan. No other country in Europe provides, in such a small area, a greater wealth of mountain scenery than does Switzerland, and the route which I followed gives access to this district without passing over the highest ranges. For those who are not airmen, and who enjoy an aerial view of this unique spectacle, Swissair (The Swiss Air Traffic Co., Ltd.) run special air cruises from Zurich and Geneva airports. Close-up views of the famous peaks mentioned, and many others, may thus be obtained under safe and comfortable conditions. The machines used are the reliable three- engined Fokkers, and many thousands of miles have been flown without mishap of any kind. Continuing our journey, passing over the Isola Bella near Stressa on Lake Maggiore, we make for Milan, some seventy kilometres to the south-east. Milan, the " Queen of Lombardy," is well worth a visit, and were this a more leisured tour one would "be tempted to land. We have to reach Rome before nightfall, however, and, with a glance at the famous many-spired cathedral, we make our way across the fertile plain of the River Po to Genoa. From Genoa we continue down the coast well out to sea to avoid the prohibited area around the naval base at Spezia. Our next objective is Pisa, easily recognised from the air by its "leaning tower." The tower stands within the so-called "field of miracles," being in close proximity to several other unique buildings, known as the Duomo, the Baptistry, and the Camposanto. Surely there are few places where so many interesting pieces of architecture are contained in so small a space, even in this land of famous buildings. We fly on through Tuscany, arriving at Rome about dusk with not much petrol on board, having flown non-stop from Mannheim in j\ hours. Rome's Airport OME has a civil Customs airport and a seaplane station. The aerodrome, which is surrounded by a concrete runway which may be used for taxying to take off, is large, measuring 1,700 by 1,200 metres. It has a good, level grass surface, but is apt to be somewhat soft in wet weather. As is the case with so many aerodromes, there are not yet any proper night-lighting arrangements, but it is ex- pected that this deficiency will be made good shortly. Soon, also, the airport hotel will be completed. I found the officials most obliging and willing to take English money for the various aerodrome charges without any trouble. Having housed my machine, I proceeded into Rome," which is reached in ten to fifteen minutes by taxi, to put up for the night.
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