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Aviation History
1954
1954 - 0282.PDF
138 FLIGHT, 29 January 1954 BREVITIES A UTOMATIC reservation equipment of the type introduced at ^»B.E.A.'s London sales H.Q. was officially opened at the Dub'in booking office of Aer Lingus last month by Mr. Erskine Childers, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs. The system can "memorize" the booking status on up to 200 flights daily for a period of three months ahead. * * * Fluorescent lighting equipment valued at over £70,000 has been ordered from the General Electric Co. for B.O.A.C.'s engi neering and administrative headquarters at London Airport. The order is described as one of the largest ever placed for the lighting of a single building. * * * A total of 300,000 passengers flew on B.E.A.'s Channel Islands routes last year—28,000 more than in 1952. The busiest route was that between London and Jersey, which attracted 126,000 passengers; a further 60,000 flew between Jersey and Southamp ton, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Glasgow. * * * The Indian Minister of Communications is reported to be studying a plan for compulsory insurance of all passengers travelling on the domestic services of the Indian Airlines Cor poration. A figure of 10 rupees (about 15s) for insurance of 100,000 rupees, over a period of 24 hours, has been suggested as a premium; this would be added to the cost of the ticket. * * * . The Finance Committee of the Nottingham City Council is considering the possibilities of developing Tollerton airfield as an airport. Tollerton is at present requisitioned by the Air Ministry, but it is reported that the latter is anxious to return it to private ownership. * * * P.A.W.A. intend to inaugurate a New York-Berlin tourist service on June 1st. Flights will be operated twice weekly in each direction, with stops at Prestwick and Hamburg. * * * For the first time in its history America's second largest airline, T.W.A., has carried more than three million passengers in a year. Precise figures are not yet available, but the 1953 total number of passengers carried on T.W.A. domestic and international services last year is expected to exceed the 1952 figure (2.57m) by more than 20 per cent. * * * Following the delivery of five Convair 240s and two DC-6Bs to Canadian Pacific Airlines, DC-3s are being replaced on the company's domestic routes by both Convairs and DC-4s. The DC-6Bs used on the Pacific routes will be joined next autumn by Comets; C.P.A. have ordered three Series 2s and hold an option on a fourth. * * * This year Japan Air Lines intend to inaugurate services from Tokyo to Sao Paulo, Bangkok, Seoul and Karachi. Djakarta will be added to the list of destinations served next year, and the air line also expects to introduce Comet 2s in 1955 on a route between Tokyo and London via Karachi. The company's first international services, to San Francisco via Hawaii, and to Wake Island, will be inaugurated next month. CLUB AND GLIDING NEWS THE annual report of the Blackpool and Fylde Aero Club, Ltd. —read by the president, Mr. R. Whyham, at the recent annual general meeting—showed that the club had had a success ful year. Flying hours had totalled 1,586; 18 members had obtained their P.P.L.s and 25 had achieved their first solos. Two of the club's Austers have been equipped for night flying and several members intend to obtain their night ratings. A Link trainer is being installed for instrument practice and it is planned to fit one or more of the aircraft with radio. Flying target for 1954 is 2,000 hours. Eight types of single- and twin-engined aircraft are at the disposal of members, and twin-rating conversions for Com mercial Licence holders or members are available, that for the Rapide at an inclusive cost of £14 10s. Blackpool and Fylde is anxious to arrange reciprocal flying events with other clubs. ALUNCH patrol with a difference is to be held at Denham Airfield by the Vintage Aeroplane Club on Sunday, February 14th. Defending aircraft will carry cameramen, who will photo graph attackers to confirm interceptions; prints will be developed during lunch. In addition, attacking aircraft will have to bomb a "battleship" on the airfield with bags of flour. Those who are successful in evasion and attack will receive the traditional reward. After lunch, at 1.30, the University of London Air Squadron will give a demonstration of formation flying, and this will be followed by balloon bursting and more bombing. Warm and liquid refreshments will also be on hand, and a two-seat glider will give joy-rides. The Club's Cadet is now once again serviceable and will be flying on February 14th. Fixtures for the future include a film show in London, on vintage flying, an "easier bonnet" dance, and more of the club's traditional rallies. ON Saturday last the Experimental Flying Group of the Popular Flying Club held its fourth anniversary hut-warming party at Redhill aerodrome. Everyone lent a hand to make the party a success—and to see so many young enthusiasts gathered together and talking aviation was reminiscent of the early days of flying. The Group has two Magisters and a Heath Parasol. Members, of whom there are about 30, pay a monthly subscription of ten shillings and 37s 6d per hour for flying. Four members took their MINISTERIAL MESSENGER: Mr. R. G. Casey, Australian Minister for External Affairs, with Mrs. Casey and their newly acquired Miles Messenger, in their private landing-field at Berwick, Victoria. Mrs. Casey chose the aircraft, with the assistance of Mr. Keith Shackleton, while she was in England as one of the judges in the International Sculpture Competition. It will be recalled that a fortnight ago we published the Minister's views on the progress of private flying in Australia. P.P.L.s in 1953. As would be expected, conversation turned largely on the closing of No. 15 Reserve Flying School. The Group is wondering what effect this will have on the use of Redhill—whether, without the school, the remaining elements will be able to maintain the airfield. A NEW Italian national two-seat glider height record was estab lished on January 16th over Guidonia Airfield, near Rome. An Ambrosini CW.6 Canguro, flown by Maj. Adriano Mantelli with Lt. Monaco as passenger, was towed to a height of 1,300 m (4,260ft) and cast off. During the next 4 hr 10 min they gained 3,850 m (12,640ft), thus attaining a total altitude of 5,150 m (16,905ft). The new record, which supersedes the previous mark of 2,600 m (8,530ft)—also held by Maj. Mantelli in a Canguro— is subject to confirmation. Canguros are in production at Ambrosini's main factory at Passignano, near Perugia. Thirty-six have so far been bought by the I.A.F. and the flying clubs, some of them equipped for high- altitude flying. Mantelli's is the fifth record gained by Ambrosini aircraft within forty days; two speed records; were set up by the Super S.7 and two more by the F.4 Rondone, on December 5th and 27th respectively.
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