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Aviation History
1935
1935 - 0198.PDF
104 FLIGHT. JANUARY 24, 1935. LORD SEMPILL, A.F.C., F.R.Ae.S., DISCUSSES WEATHER CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED IN INDIA. AVIATION in India has many problems common to those in other countries, but some peculiar to itself. Among the latter, weather conditions of a widely varying nature need constant study, and it is fortunate for the future development of flying in that country that India possesses such an efficient meteorological department. Years of research have resulted in an accumulation of in formation and experience from which aviation has much to gain. The success of this service owes a great deal to British meteorologists such as Dr. G. C. Simpson, Sir Gilbert Walker and Mr. J. H. Field, who not only carried out a large amount of pioneering investigation themselves, but trained many Indians to carry on their work. With the inclusion of one or two Europeans, the department is now mainly staffed with university-educated Indians, whose published contributions to meteorological science show them to have attained a knowledge of the subject com parable with that of western scientists. Established long before the advent of civil and commer cial aviation, undoubtedly one of the main functions of the Department of Meteorology in the future will be its capacity to aid air transport. Growing facilities through out the country will therefore be required, both for the acquisition and distribution of meteorological information, and it is satisfactory to note that of the recent vote for civil aviation purposes a substantial sum nas been allocated for improved meteorological and radio services. It might have been thought at one time that the forecasting of weather in India was a simple matter, the seasons being of a clearly defined character, but it is now realised that, as far as aviation is concerned, day-to-day forecasts are just as necessary as in western countries. The M.onsoon System THE weather in India is influenced largely by the mon soon system, the effects of which vary throughout the country. Bounded on the north by the high pkteau of Tibet and Central Asia, and with its long coast line on the east and west, the peninsula presents many meteorological complexities. The tainy season which occurs from June to September is said to be due to oceanic causes. During summer the land warms up more than the sea, but in the winter season the water does not lose its heat so rapidly as the land. This gives rise to the south west winds, or south-west monsoon as it is called. During this period of heavy rain and cyclonic storms, dangerous conditions exist on the west coast and also on the coast of Burma. The rain-belt gradually spreads from Ceylon to the north, reaching Calcutta some weeks later than Colombo. The wind direction is not everywhere the same during the south-west monsoon ; in the valley of the Ganges it tends to blow from the south-east towards the plains of the Punjab. In October the north-east monsoon sets in, the change in the direction of the wind being due to the increase of pressure in Central Asia. This is followed by what is known as the retreating monsoon, when fine weather appears in the north-west, and the rain belt recedes to the south-east. Usually, by about the end of October the rainy area has " retreated " to Madras. Owing to the interaction of the north-easterly winds, and those from the south-west which continue to persist in the The Monsoons —and IVhy Bay of Bengal, severe storms and boisterous weather are experienced intermittently until the end of the 3'ear. From January to March the north-east monsoon period continues and fine weather with clear skies prevails over the greater part of India. This is the best period of the year for aviation, although a certain amount of morning fog may be encountered in the north. From April to the end of May the hottest weather is experienced, there being a rapid and continuous increase in temperature during these months. r It will be seen that, between the rainy season which is general throughout India during the south-west monsoon and the fine weather from January to March, there are two transitional periods when the climatic conditions vary con siderably in different parts of the country. The need for a good meteorological service is readily apparent whea it is realised that although conditions generally are suitable for aviation during a large proportion of the year, there are many dangers to be guarded against. These comprise violent thunderstorms and rainfall, hail and snow and turbulent winds in mountainous country, sudden dust storms which blot out all visibility, low clouds and some times a tornado. Flooded Aerodromes WHEN inaugurating their line to Batavia, the K.L.M.. who have, perhaps, had the greatest experience of such conditions, expected that the monsoon rains would have the most unfavourable effect on the regularity of the service. It was found in practice, however, that their aircraft were seldom delayed from this cause, and when delays were met with it was generally due to the flooded state of the aerodromes and not so much to difficulties in flight. This problem of aerodrome flooding will eventually have to be met by the construction of properly prepared runways of concrete or asphalt. This will be a somewhat expensive proposition, as the runways themselves tend to complicate the drainage system, which has to be adequate to carry off the surface water which cannot be absorbed. Motorless flying has a few devotees in India, but, un fortunately, owing to lack of financial support, little pro gress has been made. There is an Indian Gliding Associa tion—affiliated to the British Gliding Association—which was formed in 1931, with headquarters at Bombay. As reported in Flight, the chairman of the association, Mr. A. N. Moos, recently broadcast an appeal for Government assistance, and in view of the known sympathy with the aims of the movement of the Director of Civil Aviation, who is president of the association, and the example set by the home authorities, it is hoped that Government support will be forthcoming. The Indian Qliding Association THE Indian Gliding Association owes its inception to the enthusiasm of a pioneer Indian airman, Mr. Kabali, who made a special study of gliding in Germany. On his return to India he called a public meeting at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Bombay, which resulted in the formation of the association. A training ground was procured in the hilly country of Aundh—a native State in the Bombay Presidency—and was kindly placed at the disposal of the association, together with the necessary hangarage, by the ruler of the state. Two gliders were ordered from Germany and^ one from America, and a number of pilots have been trained, although progress has been slow from lack of funds.
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