FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1960
1960 - 0734.PDF
734 FLIGHT, 27 May 196C Sport and Business A MEMORANDUM presented by the Royal Aero Club to the Conservative Party Aviation Committee during March has been reproduced in the May issue of the Club's Gazette. This begins by pointing out that British general aviation (business, executive, private, instructional and sporting flying and gliding) is "in a poor way," and continues: — "The present sad state of affairs in the UK has largely been brought about by the fact that general aviation has not only been neglected in the UK since the war, but has also been positively discouraged in Government quarters. "There are four main factors which are throttling the growth of general aviation in this country at present. They are: — 1. The continued reduction in the number of airfields available. 2. Restrictive regulations, which make "casual" flights difficult. 3. The lack of customs amenities for small aircraft. 4. The absence of any Government policy for the encouragement of light aviationin the UK—in marked contrast to other countries. "These four factors have discouraged a home demand which would be adequate to make profitable the production of suitable aircraft and radio equipment by UK manufacturers. Hence the fact that British flyers are now turning to American equipment." After dealing in turn with the market, lack of suitable airfields for small aircraft, restrictions at major airports, lack of amenities and lack of suitable aircraft and equipment, the memorandum concludes: — "British general aviation is thus being discouraged because of lack of adequate Government support—by lack of airfields, hangarage, customs facilities, by restrictive provisions at major airports, by unrealistic radio frequencies requirements and by the heaviest landing fees in the world. Furthermore, the winding-up of the Kemsley Flying Trust—one factor which has assisted British light aviation since the war—will have a further depressing effect. "The Royal Aero Ciub puts forward the following recommenda- tions to remedy this state of affairs, and to assist in the promotion of the healthy home market which will bring valuable export sales, (i) The setting up of a General-aviation Branch in the Ministry of Aviation charged with the responsibility for encouraging and assisting light aviation and gliding. Such a Branch should contain practising pilots in senior positions, (ii) The launching by HMG of a National Flying Trust to replace the Kemsley Flying Trust, and make available interest-free loans to suitable bodies for the development of British general aviation. One of the first Champion Tri-Travellers to arrive in England, G-APYT was assembled at Ramsgate Airport by Aviation Engineering Co earlier this month for the British distributor, Edward Drewey. Sh Tri- Travellers will form the nucleus of a new flying club at Biggin Hill and subsequent machines will be sold by Maitland Drewery Aviatiot Ltd at a price of £2,995. v ..-,•=. ..-, - T (iii) A national survey of aerodromes—Civil and Service—to be made available to general aviation—including a re-examina- tion for the re-opening of some of those aerodromes recently closed, specifically in the London area. (iv) Provision of customs facilities for general aviation at al; State-owned airfields and a number of those owned by municipalities, (v) Provision of hangarage available to general aviation at all State-owned airfields. (vi) A drastic reduction in landing fees and aerodrome charges to general aviation—in line with international practice, (vii) Exemption from fuel tax for all forms of light aircraft, other than business users. (viii) The holding of a Government competition for the design of a range of new British light aircraft for both civil and military communications duties. "A strong and healthy light aircraft and gliding movement \ the United Kingdom is the most satisfactory method of enco?1^ aging the national air-faring outlook among our peoples, which can mean so much to this country in the Air Age ahead." IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS on May 16 Gp Capt R. Collard asked the Minister of Aviation if he would consider setting up a National Flying Trust for the purpose of making fixed-interest loans to suitable bodies for the encouragement and development of club and private flying. Mr Sandys replied: "A suggestion on these lines was made recently by the Standing Joint Committee on Private and Club Flying and Gliding, and I understand that it is being considered by those concerned." In a further question, Mr Collard inquired what progress had been made in preparing the specification for an economical light air- craft: the Minister replied that the specification had been approved by the standing joint committee and was now being circulated to the industry. PIPER SUPER CUB and Caribbean aircraft are now available for hire to flying clubs from a newly formed company3 Rent-a- Plane Ltd, at Oxford Airport, Kidlington. Clubs are required to guarantee a minimum annual utilization of 200, 300, 350 or 400 hours, and pay an hourly flat rate, which varies from £3 to £3 10s for the Super Cub and £3 17s 6d to £4 10s for the Caribbean. Hangarage and fuel are stated to be the only extra costs involved for the hiring club, with maintenance, insurance and depreciation covered by Rent-a-Plane. Directors of the com- pany are Tom Brooke-Smith, J. N. Christopherson and R. O. Camac. RETROSPECT From "Flight" of May 28, 1910 Attending Police Court by Aeroplane: Although in comparison withhis attempts to fly to Manchester, Mr Claude Grahame-White's exploit on Saturday last was but a minor affair, yet it clearly demonstratedthe utility of the aeroplane for travelling from point to point direct. Summoned to appear at Woking Petty Sessions for exceeding thespeed limit, he flew from Brooklands to Woking on his Henry Fannan biplane the same as he used in the London to Manchester attempts.He came down in a meadow adjoining Westfield Common, about two miles beyond the town, having covered the six miles in eight minutes.After being fined £5 and costs for driving at a speed alleged by the police to be 40 miles an hour, Mr White was invited by one of themagistrates to tea. About half-past seven in the evening Mr Grahame- White flew back again to Brooklands, flying along tihe railway linebetween Woking and Weybridge. This Continental-powered Bellanca 260 was on view at the recent Kidlington sales weekend. A flight report appeared in last week's issue
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
