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Aviation History
1964
1964 - 1418.PDF
-JCHT International, 7 May 1964 787 the facilities to the same extent. Those who have had experience of the reorganization and development involved will perhaps agree that the effect of reducing the cost of travel is not quite the same as that of reducing journey times. Perhaps the first effect of reducing journey times to a marked degree is to bring in the entrepreneur element- business men, salesmen, and those who arrange the provision of service. Banstead, Surrey w. p. WINSTON, MICE Letting the Passengers Hear the Patter Sm,—With reference to Mr J. G. Allen's letter (April 23), I would support the idea that some of the more appropriate conversation between captain and ground controller be relayed to passengers. Even if many could not understand it, the fact that they asked their neighbouring passenger what it was all about would, alone, break the mass tension that still seems to exist during any landing. The fact that it is technical, and the belief that one should not be so with the fare-paying public, is not in accordance with present-day knowledge of so many who fly; I have been surprised that a number of people who did not appear to be conversant with anything except the magazine they were reading have displayed an interesting amount of aeronautical knowledge when something out of the ordinary has happened; a number, too, must read Flight International and various air correspondents in national papers. The fact that there were protests in the DC-4 when the inadvertent voices were switched out indicates that it is an avenue to explore. Much is talked about passenger relations and this idea could well assist in eradicating the strained hush that takes place during finals when many passengers are thinking of cases when things have gone wrong. Brighton 7 PHBLIP M. CRITCHLEY Whither Zond 1? SIR,—In your recent (April 9) report on the Russian probe Zond 1, while not expressing agreement you lend credence to the suggestion that Zond 1 is an unsuccessful Venus probe. I dispute this, and suggest that it is exactly what Tass said it is, namely ". . . an automatic station ... for developing a space system for distant interplanetary flights." We have heard from various American sources that the Soviet Union has launched at least ten unsuccessful interplanetary probes, so it is natural for the Russians to conduct experiments to improve the reliability of their future craft. Potters Bar, Middlesex J. R. ELLK That National Aviation Museum SIR,—Way back in 1956, whilst still serving with the RAF, I suggested the need for an RAF Museum; but, like the majority of suggestions originating from the ranks, this was lightly dismissed as being "under consideration." A few years later, while I was still pursuing the idea, the Royal Aeronautical Society supplied me with a list of historical aircraft and their location throughout the country. It is common knowledge that many fine examples have been destroyed, and that others are housed in far from ideal conditions. Finally, when I learnt that there was a possibility of the RAF vacating Cardington, I proposed through the Press and my MP that the two immense airship sheds should be used to house all our historical aircraft, under the best conditions, to form a National Aviation Museum, directed by either the Ministry of Science and Education or the Ministry of Aviation. The only person to comment upon my letter to the Press was the Commanding Officer of RNAS Yeovilton, where they are forming a Naval Aviation Museum out of non-public funds. The reply through my MP, from various Ministries, told me what is now common knowledge—that the RAF is also forming a museum at Henlow. What neither I nor the general public was told was the pitiful amount granted for this purpose out of the Air Estimates, a mere £3,000. £3,000 to preserve historical aircraft for posterity against £4,500,000 to build a device to test a Concord to destruction; or £10,000-plus for a bowling alley at Henlow; or a vast unknown amount spent on developing the RAF Technical College there, which will become redundant when the college moves to Cranwell; or many more abandoned projects costing untold millions of pounds! I probably saved the country £3,000 a hundred times over and many aircrew lives when, soon after the war, I discovered a fractured wing-attachment fitting on a new bomber aircraft —but such was the lack of interest in flight safety and acci- dent prevention at that time that the only thanks I received was from a grateful aircrew who had heard a loud bang whilst flying and asked me to look round "if I had time." In this present age of vast expense on science and research I am appalled to find complacent attitudes to flight safety— do other countries allow flocks of birds to roost and nest in hangars containing research aircraft, with the inevitable danger and filth from their droppings? If the past and present means so little to us now, I can foresee the future when the birds will have empty hangars all to themselves. Bedford GORDON LESTER Air on the Ground SIR,—As a frequent air traveller I agree with the writer of "Almost an Inaugural" (April 9) on his views of inadequate fresh air supplies for airliners whilst on the ground. Although air legislation exists for supplying a minimum change of air whilst airborne there otherwise appears to be nothing but the individual airline's conscience or pocket to maintain a comfortable level of oxygen on the ground. The position can be further aggravated by some countries' insistence on having the aircraft sealed closed for five minutes on arrival for insecticide spraying. Counter argument to adverse comment on the Concord's fuselage size is that the period of discomfort will be briefer. This is, perhaps, a valid argument whilst airborne, but it is doubtful if the passengers' ground time will be any less. It is hoped that each seat position will be fitted with an individual air louvre. Even recirculated stale air will dispel the claustrophobic effect of a small cabin and fresh air shortage, if it is felt that there is some air movement. Otherwise, I fear that for many it may be a "one trip only" aircraft. St Albans, Herts R. BARNARD FORTHCOMING EVENTS May 7 RAeS: a.g.m. May 7-10 International Air Fair, Biggin Hill. May 8-10 Channel Islands Aero Club: International Rally, Jersey. May 9-10 Doubs Aero Club: 6th international rally and 2nd precision rally, Doubs. May 11 RAeS Halton and Henlow Branch: Seventh Trenchard Memorial lecture, "Technical Training for the RAF," by A VM M. K. D. Porter. May 11-15 von Kdrmdn Institute for Fluid Dynamics: Course on use of flexible models in aeroelastic research, to be held in Belgium. May 12 Institution of Mechanical Engineers: James Clayton lecture, "Influence of Thermal Effects or. the Design and Testing of Aircraft Structures," by W. J. Strong. May 12 RAeS Prestwick Branch: "Scientific Investigation of Aircraft Accidents," by P. B. Walker. May 12-14 Institute of Navigation: Convention on safety and reliability of sea and air transport. May 13 Society of Environmental Engineers: Discussion and annual dinner. May 13 Kronfeld Club: "Memphis Belle," film on the B-17. May 13 RAeS Chester Branch: a.g.m. and lecture. May 14 RAeS: Seventh Lanchester Memorial lecture, "Review of Problems in Application of Supersonic Combustion," by A. Ferri. May 16-18 French Aero Club: Jaffeux-Tissot Trophy international rally, Castallet. May 16-24 National Gliding Championships, Lasham.
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