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Aviation History
1952
1952 - 1792.PDF
20 FLIGHT 27 JUNE 1952 No. 9 OF A SERIES Timing B E A's network of routes forms a complex pattern across the many countries of Europe. The services operated on this route pattern are controlled by a closely-knit plan which integrates every flight on every route and ensures that the greatest possible use is made of our aircraft and crews. Timing is a vital factor in such intensive operations. It is influenced by many things ; the times at which people want to travel, the length of the sector flown (often much further than the "crow flies " for reasons of Air Traffic Control or because of prohibited military areas), the best cruising power of the aircraft and the prevailing winds. The operating time of the new Elizabethan 'Silver Wing' service between London and Paris even has to be in creased slightly so that meals can be comfortably served and cleared away before landing! Calculating Flying times for each route are settled. Then comes the next question: how many passengers do we expect ? Will ten flights a day—or two a week be enough? This is when the whole operating picture starts to build up; flights may have to connect with other airlines and train services; and at the busy airports (Northolt handles more than 200 B E A movements alone on peak days) arrivals and departures have to follow each other like clockwork at not less than two-minute intervals. Co-ordinating Work on schedules begins as much as nine months before their actual introduction. In January and July each year, B E A discuss with other airlines the proposed schedules at the I.A.T.A. Time tables Conference in Paris. " We can't take an arrival from Nice at Northolt at 10.12 a.m. —is 10.30 all right? Brussels offers us 3.25 instead of 3.00 p.m. Our afternoon Basle service misses a train by six minutes " —these are some of the puzzles which are thrashed out and solved. Operating " Keep 'em flying " is B E A's aim. Aircraft on the ground earn no revenue, so turn- round times are kept short. And the schedules are fast - moving. For ex ample, an aeroplane may spend three days flying almost continuously. But, at the end of the third day, it still has a few hours left before it is due for over haul ; so the " tail-end " of the period is used for a late evening trip to Paris and back at an excursion fare. Improving When a new aircraft comes into service, many schedules can be speeded up. The Elizabethan has already cut down London- Paris flying time to 80 minutes, and the new turbo-prop Discovery (due to enter service next December) will reduce times for the longer routes by as much as two and three hours. At a time when the air routes are becoming more and more congested, these faster schedules will place greater emphasis than ever on the soundness of our schedules planning. B E A is preparing accordingly. BEA BRITISH U R O P B A N A I R W Y S
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