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Aviation History
1939
1939 - 0447.PDF
FEBRUARY 16, 1039 FLIGHT. 163 __a change which is rather more than possible—and of constant-speed airscrews, will make the type not only one of the largest but one of the fastest in service. With new engines giving an additional 200 h.p. or so each, the cruis- jjig speed should go up to a figure in the region of 200 m.p.h. In the meantime, and after a great deal of bad luck during the development period, the D.H. Albatross has proved itself and is now probably the fastest machine in commercial service. When the new fleet has gained the full confidence of the public it will be properly appreciated for its all-round efficiency. And if, three years ago, the Air Ministry had shown any foresight or generosity, the type might have been in metal. The new D.H.95, how ever, appears to have very good flying characteristics, while its performance is generally up to that of any simi lar high-efficiency design. Good characteristics, when they are available, are nowadays particularly appreciated by transport operators, who are in a difficult position where a non-docile machine is concerned. Only their very best and most experienced pilots may at first be put in charge of anything which requires careful handling, while con siderable expenses are incurred in giving" the necessary training to the junior members of the flying staff. Quite apart from safety considerations, a reasonably foolproof aeroplane saves a company a very great deal of money in incidental operations. For the moment, there is nothing available in this coun try in a somewhat smaller category for those few operators who demand a cruising speed of the order of 200 m.p.h. At least one internal airline company in this country is seriously considering the purchase of an American type. Very few companies can afford to build up the traffic, even on a trunk route, while using fast fourteen-seaters; what they want for a start is something equally fast carrying six or seven passengers. Later on, when and if the traffic has been .built up, they can re-equip with larger types. It is rumoured that both Imperial Airways and Railway Air Services are interested in the 95. Presumably, the latter might find it reasonable to use such a machine on their Belfast run. Certainly the ground communications in this country are so good that only speed and frequency can permit the mass sale of air transport to the general public. Goodness knows there is enough to complain about in air transport, but it hardly helps matters if this fatuous competition (of simple propaganda interest) is intensified. Both Imperial and Pan-American Airways have a great deal to learn about scheduled Atlantic flying—as those who are immediately concerned with the job will admit at once. Nobody, as yet, has any reason to be proud of the pro gress of air transport. Both in America and Europe the companies kill unsuspecting passengers with monotonous facility. The best we can do is to co-operate to the full for the purpose of obtaining efficiency with safety—and at least stop this squabble about relative superiority. Ask the Airline Pilot MY recent remarks about the need for more co-operation between the airline operator and the manufacturer has produced a most stirring and informative letter from the Guild ; this appears in the correspondence columns else where in the issue. First of all, I must apologise for the somewhat loose re mark that the G.A.P.A.N. "should have stepped in " ; I ought to have said: '' Should have made more vigorous efforts." Whatever the Guild may say (and nobody denies that it has done a tremendous lot of very good work) the average airline pilot still feels neglected—and hence, to some extent, the formation of another organisation. The gist of my contention was that airline pilots should be given the very first attention by manufacturers. It is not enough that it should be "obvious" that manufac turers '' would do well to call senior airline pilots into con sultation." For years before 1936 such consultations should have been in the natural and obligatory order of events. INDICATOR. Private Flying FROM the CLUBS and SCHOOLS LONDON. T HE time flown by the London Aeroplane Club members during the week ended February 4 amounted to 71 hr. 15 min. During last week 76 hr. 45 min. were logged, and Mr. R. H. Grattan-Doyle made his first solo flight. BARTON (BEDS). The Bedford School of Flying experienced good weather for the week ended February 4 and Messrs. F. A. Armstrong, A. Gregory and N. P. Anson made their first solos. Mr. S. K. Johnson flew his first solo last week. There are vacancies in the Civil Air Guard section. PLYMOUTH. There was only one day's good weather and gales prevailed for the rest of the week ended January 31. Thirteen hours were flown and Mr. R. G. Cottey made his first solo flight. Four days were spoilt last week by bad visibility, but 55 hours' flying was done in .the remainder of the week. WESTON. The week ended January 31 proved to be one of appalling weather and only 9 hours were flown. The club has acquired a Swallow and now has two machines of this type, together with a Hornet Moth Weston was unlucky again with the weather last week, but 33 hours were flown in the 3$ days on which instruction was possible. EXETER. The club held a very successful dance at the airport on Monday, January 30, when nearly a hundred members and friends were Present. During the week ended January 31, 16 hours' flying was done. the weather was fine last week, and although only one aeroplane "as in commission, 40 hours' flying was done. • EASTBOURNE. in spite of low clouds and high winds, 70 hours were logged for 5! two weeks ended February 10. Messrs. E. H. Bayliss, H. S. th»i « and the Misses D- p- Wilson, and Patricia Woollan all made t" e'r bTg solos, while Mr. R. C. Hall-Headly passed his " A " licence E j- Messrs. D. L. Brown and J. H. Carter have succeeded Capt. has tnh * as J°'nt non- secretaries, while Miss Margery Spiller witi^T n over from Mr- w- s- Coates as instructor in conjunction £« Mr. T. G. Stubley. Messrs. T. H. Dinnis and W. U. Bedford "ave now obtained their licences. STRATHTAY. During January, flying amounted to 00 hours, of which the Civil Air Guard accounted for 55 hours. Five licences were obtained during the month and Messrs. Stableforth and Rose went solo. THANET. Although the weather was mainly unsuitable, 28 hours were flown during the last week in January. Mr W. Smith passed his " A " licence tests. The Dragonfly, Miles Whitney Straight, Autogiro and Swallow belonging to the president, Mr. Albert Batchelor, have been acquired by the Straight Corporation and the first three have been added to the Ramsgate fleet.- Last week started badly with four days spoilt by low cloud, but 49 hours were flown in the remaining three days. NORFOLK AND NORWICH. In spite of some blank days, flying hours for the week before last showed an increase on recent figures and in the Civil Air Guard section another member made a first solo. Mr. C. G. Gowing and the chief instructor made a trip to Hatfield to see about the purchase of two Moth Minors. Delivery is anticipated about the end of Tune. In spite of two blank days there was a further increase in flying last week, the total hours flown being the highest recorded since the first week in December. IPSWICH. The Hillson J.A.P.s have given excellent service in the first few weeks since modification and 42 hours were flown during 1he week ended January 31 in spite of bad weather. Lady Evelyn Balfour—a Civil Air Guard member—made her first solo flight. Long-awaited fine weather enabled the club to achieve the excel lent total of 118 hours during the week ended February 7. Messrs. Barfield, Cooper and Pharaoh made their first solo flights, and Messrs. E. Frye, IT. Lake, W. Barnard, B. Firman, L. Corder, G. Hitchcock and L. Stagg passed their " A " licence tests. With one exception these pupils are members of the Civil Air Guard. YORKSHIRE. The universal wintry conditions rather affected f-ying during January, but a week's good weather brought the total up to 180 hours for the month. This compares very favourably with the 58 hours which were logged for January, 1938. Mr. J. N. Airey obtained his " A " licence under the C.A.G. scheme. So far during February 55 hours have been flown, 38 hr. 30 min. of which were put in last week. The club has purchased another Moth, which brings the total fleet up to 15. Part of the club's workshops have been moved across into the new hangar.
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