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Aviation History
1952
1952 - 0545.PDF
FLIGHT, 29 February 1952 CIVIL AVIATION . . . terms of both overall noise and individual frequency bands, the noise-level being checked in eight different octave-bands, each set of measurements including about 100 sound levels. Measurements are being made at varying distances and in differing weather conditions, the microphone being mounted on a tripod and set in a wire cage covered with fine muslin to reduce the wind-noise. Experiments have also been made to see how far engine-sound penetrates trees, and whether a plantation around the airfield would effectively reduce the noise. (Presumably a suitably "self- stunting" variety would be chosen.) The running-up of engines in hangars where possible, rather than in the open, is also being considered. The problem is also being tackled independently from the engine-designer's point of view. Here, of course, the difficulties are well known, and are likely to be further complicated when commercial jet aircraft go into regular service. Incidentally, some remarkable results have been achieved by modification of Argonaut exhaust systems, as recorded on page 242 of this issue. Though designed primarily for the benefit of passengers, these modifica tions have also had the effect of reducing the noise-level as heard by those outside the aircraft. The screen tests at London Airport are still in a very early stage, and no results are yet available. A.O.A. MEETS M.C.A. THE Ministry of Civil Aviation, it appears, now has under con sideration a scheme by which privately owned airfields lacking air-traffic controllers will be able to appoint suitable individuals after official approval. The appointment having been confirmed, the existence of the qualified A.T.C.O. at the particular airfield would be mentioned in The Air Pilot. The existence of the scheme was briefly mentioned by Sir Alfred Le Maitre, K.B.E., C.B., M.C., Controller of Ground Services, M.C.A., at last week's annual dinner of the Aerodrome Owners' Association. In his speech (a characteristically entertaining one which began "Fellow aerodrome-owners " and referred to "the present position as seen from the servants' hall") Sir Alfred also remarked that he had been to Southend Airport to see "the poor man's G.C.A." (i.e. the Ekco radar approach-aid) and had been impressed by its possibilities : the Ministry now hoped to try it, with certain modifications, on three or four of their own aero dromes. Other speakers mostly struck what might be called a note of very cautious optimism. Air Chief Marshal Sir Frederick Bowhill, G.B.E., K.C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., deputizing at short notice for the Minister, praised the A.O.A.'s part in supplying bases for "the Merchant Navy of the air." The chairman of the A.O.A.'s execu tive committee, Mr. A. Graham Douglas, D.F.C., said that the Association's membership, which had dropped by only about a quarter since the over-optimistic days immediately after the war, now gave signs of increasing again; helicopters might soon bring new business for aerodrome owners, for people were now beginning to realize that roof-top operation was largely wishful thinking. Aid. Rhodes W. Marshall ("two million people use Britain's airports in a year—that's less than one-third of the visitors we get at Blackpool") put in some forthright North-country speaking; Mr. Charles M. Newton, an A.O.A. past chairman, enlarged on the helicopter theme, incidentally taking the opportunity of telling his M.C.A. guests what he thought about "that awful official word 'airstop' "; and Mr. Eric Rylands of Lancashire Aircraft Corpora- LOOK, DON'T ASK : Aer Lingus has now installed, at Dublin Airport, a flight arrival indicator which it is hoped will ease the work of the enquiry- counter staff. The messages are printed on rollers similar to those used on buses, but they are operated by remote control. Similar installations at London and Northolt Airports are long overdue. 249 SABENA'S NEW TERMINAL in Brussels, to be ready next year, includes arrival and departure halls, a freight reception and enquiry centre, a bonded warehouse and a large car park, in addition to housing the booking system for the entire network. There is an underground connec tion between the terminal building and the Brussels Central Station. tion had something to say about the new service charge, adding "North Country folk leave half a crown on the mantelpiece for when they return from Wakes week : now, with the £25 travel allowance, we shall find people leaving five bob at Northolt so they can pay the taxi on their return." BREVITIES THE European-Mediterranean Regional Air Navigation Meeting of I.C.A.O. opened in Paris on February 26th. Twenty-six nations met to discuss common navigational, meteorological, air traffic control and communication problems affecting civil aviation in the region, taking into account the greatly increased military activities. * * * Air India International has announced an order for two Lock heed Super-Constellations for use on its trunk routes. The present fleet consists of four L-749 Constellations. * * * New cotton-spraying contracts for the treatment of over a quarter of a million acres have been obtained in the Sudan by Pest Control, Ltd., of Cambridge. More than half this total acreage will be sprayed from the air by a combined fleet of Hiller heli copters and Austers, sent out from this country. * * * Air Transport (Charter) (C.I.), Ltd., announce the appointment of Mr. F. G. Noble as general manager. This post was formerly occupied by Mr. J. Wright, who lost his life while flying from Ringway to Belfast last March. Mr. Noble, who has been with the company for some eight years, was previously its commercial manager. * * * The future of Cowes Airport, which was recently advertised for sale, was discussed in the Isle of Wight Development Plan, recently laid before the County Council. The M.C.A. has inti mated that it may withdraw the airport licence in certain circum stances, e.g. if building development takes place within 600ft of Three Gates Road on the northern boundary of the aerodrome. * * * A combined air-sea round journey between New York and Nassau is now offered jointly to passengers by B.O.A.C. and the Incres Nassau Shipping Line. Passengers have the option of going to Nassau by sea and returning to New York by air, or vice versa, the combined fare being booked on one ticket. B.O.A.C. makes daily flights between New York and Nassau, six weekly by Stratocruiser and once weekly by Constellation. The Incres Line has a service once a week in each direction with the s.s. Nassau. Similar agreements are held by B.O.A.C. with three other shipping lines in the Western Hemisphere.
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