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Aviation History
1948
1948 - 2144.PDF
726 Civil Aviation News ing freight, eleven single-engined andone twin-en gflied aircraft. The Sky- masters, based on Long Island, usuallyfly to Saudi Arabia via Gander and Lisbon in 36 hours. The airliners areoperated to a regular timetable five times a month, and the small aircraft are usedfor local flights in Saudi Arabia. In addition, the company charters airlinerswhen necessary. • * # In a speech to the delegates to theSouth Pacific Air Transport Council re- cently, Mr. E. A. Gibson, Director ofCivil Aviation in New Zealand, said that DC-6 aircraft would probably be usedby British Commonwealth Pacific Air- lines on the route from Canada to New-Zealand via Australia. This change would give them a temporary lead over theirrivals P.A.W.A. who were about to change from Skymasters to Constellations, and CanadianPacific Airlines who would probably use Canadair Fours in the New Year. • * # Reorganization of the U.S. Civil Aeronautical Administrationaimed at reducing costs was recently announced by Mr. D. W. Rentzel, the Administrator. At present the Administrationemploys 17,300 people, but it is not yet known how many of those will be made redundant by the reorganization. Al-though as a result next year's operating budget will be lower, it is expected that an increase will be made in the estimateto Congress because of expansion in the airport programme and the installation of more navigation and landing aids. * * * Now back from its tour of Europe, the S.A.A.B. Scandia,flew a total of 452 hours. The aircraft visited eleven countries, spent 113 hours in the air, flew more than 23,000 miles, andcarried 1,200 passengers. Airline representatives from all over the world saw the Scandia when it was demonstrated duringthe I.A.T.A. conference in Brussels. S.A.S. has ordered ten and the prototype has been put into service with S.A.S. fortwo months, to carry freight on the European routes. # * # Mr. Rees-Williams, Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies,stated in the House of Commons that a mission was being Bent to Malta early in the New Year to discuss certain out-standing questions concerning civil aviation, including the future use of Luqa airport. In answer to a written questionhe stated that the Governor of Malta had estimated a loss to the island of some ^32,000 annually, as a result of the B.O.A.C.decision largely to discontinue the use of Luqa airport. Cer- tain of the Corporation's services have been transferred toCastel Benito. FLIGHT /? •y s CIVIL CAMOUFLAGE : Wartime huts have been convened into a terminal building at Nutts Corner, Belfast, at a cost of £42,000. The work was completed in approximately 14 months. There is a reception hall and facilities for the usual Customs, immigration and health services for an international airport. Opening off the reception hall is a restaurant and waiting room. In his welcoming speech to the delegates of the SouthPacific Air Transport Council, which opened in Wellington on November 29th, as reported in Flight, November 18th, Mr.Nash, the New Zealand Premier, said that it was hoped to establish a new Tasman air service between Christchurch andone of the Australian cities. The New Zealand Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr. Jones, was elected chairman of the Con-ference and the Australian Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr. Drakeford, deputy chairman. • .* * After more than two years' negotiating, Australia refused permission to Cathay Pacific Airways to fly a service between Hong Kong and Sydney as the chosen instrument of the British and Hong Kong Governments. The Minister for Air, Mr. Drakeford, stated that it was against Australian Government policy to allow a private company to run overseas air routes and he had protested to the British Government against the use of a private company to run a service similar to that operated by Qantas, a nationalized organization. It is under- stood now that B.O.A.C. will operate the route for the British Government. .-, - ..--... V -., .--.-- Figures for the year November 1st, 1947, to October 31st, 1948, show that Aer Lingus operated 12,585 services, carried 188,568 passengers, approximately 58^ tons of freight and 1,000 tons of mail. The Shannon-London service operated with a regularity factor of 99.6 per cent; the Dublin-Manchester- Amsterdam service with a factor of 99.2 per cent and Dublin- London 97.1 per cent. The overall regularity factor for all services was 97.5 per cent. The highest passenger load per- centage was achieved on the Dublin-Liverpool with 68.8 per cent. The Dublin-London service operated at 6.35 per cent. FROM THE CLUBS TN December the Scottish Flying Club celebrates its 21stJ- birthday. Founded in 1927 by Mr. B. Miller, Mr. G. Walker, Mr. H. Smith, Mr. Donaldson and Mr. A. Dunlop,the club's first aircraft was a Cirrus II Moth. Between 1927 and 1939 the club trained 320 pilots, many of whom joined602 City of Glasgow Squadron before the war started. A dinner to celebrate the club's coming of age is to be heldthis month * * * SOME excellent flying weather during October was enjoyedby the West Riding Aviation Centre and 42 hours' flying, 22 hours' solo and 20 hours' dual, were accomplished. Applica-tions for membership received during the month totalled 14, five of which were for flying membership; this brings thestrength of the centre up to a total of 365 members. AH the aircraft are now serviceable, the Rapide G-AKNW havingjust completed C. of A. The Centre's Isle of Man service finished on October 2nd, and the popularity of the servicehas resulted in a successful past season, with evidence of continued success next season. AS far as recent weather has permitted the London Aero-plane Club has remained fairly active and during Novem- ber 90 hours' flying were completed. Three "A" licenceswere obtained during the month and two members made their first solo flights. Membership now totals 23b including theaddition of four new flying members in November. The club's annual ball is to be held at the Savoy Hotel on Tanuaryfrom 7.30 p.m. until 1 a.m Road transport is Being organiaKl to convey members to and from Hatfield, the assemMy srointchosen being the works' entrance of the de Havilland 3^/rcraft Co. Applications for tickets, which cost 35s inclusive, shouldbe made to the C.F.I, and Secretary of the club, D. A. D. Cather, A.F.M., or to the Royal Aero Club Aviation Centre,Londonderry House, without delay. • * *T HE Orkney Flying Club on December 14th held its in-augural meeting, putting the club on an official footing, at Kirkwall. The meeting was followed by a film show, forwhich a number of films were kindly loaned by de Havillands. At .an earlier and informal meeting of those interested it wasstated that the interim secretary had enlisted the aid of Sir Basil Neven-Spence, M.P., to support the request fo«r sub-sidies for such clubs. Several new supporters -have come for- ward and it is apparent that qualified volunteer instructorswill be forthcoming to train flying members in elementary airmanship, navigation, and maintenance. The questionsof the provision of airfield and club-room facilities have also been discussed. It is felt that a model aircraft section ofthe club should be formed to stimulate the interest of the more youthful in the new club. c ?o
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