EMPIRE AIR SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 169, 11 April 1919, Page 8

EMPIRE AIR SERVICE

TO AUSTRALIA IN SIX DAYS

MAILS AND BULLION

The revolution in transport that will come about with the development of an Imperial Air Service .was described by Major-General Sir F. H. Sykes, Control-ler-General of Civil Aviation, at a meeting of the Australian aud New Zealaud Luncheon Club in London ou February 20.

The chairman, Sir Newton: Moore, in proposing the health of Major-General Sykes, said that Mr. Haiulley Page had assured him that he would be able to land him in Australia within five or sis . days if he desired to take the trip. Sir F. H. :Sykos, in reply, said that while wo entered tbo war with an air service smaller and in many respects less well equipped than that possessed by other Powers, we had, with the loyal and devoted assistance of the Dominions, made up the leeway, and could fairly claim that in aviation the British Empire now led the world. The stress of war was past, and an almost euually difficult, aud certainly more complicated, period was upon us. Wo must ensure that the air forces of the Empire were litted, not only, if need be, for destruction, but vera also able quickly to take their plnce m the great peaceful development of civilisation. The Atlantic had great attractions, but of far greater and more solid importance from every paint of view was travel between Cairo and Calcutta, Calcutta, and Singapore, Singapore and Australia. The Imperial aspects of commercial air power could not be overrated, and ita foundations must he well and truly laid. Curing the war the air forces of tbo Dominions had worked in the closest cooperation with those from the British Isles. A lxmd of union had thus been established which both sides must inako every elfort to maintain and strengthen. Eacli Dominion should endeavour to establish a Central School, at which flying, navigation, meteorology, and photography should bi taught on similar lines. They bad been for some time engaged in mapping out tlie stages of the aerial route to Australia from Cairo via Karachi, Sii:ga»ore, and the Sunda Islands. Carefully ""planned pioneer flights along the route as far as Karachi, Delhi, and Calcutta had already been made, and experiences of the utmost value had bsen gained. The question which now arose waa where the first landing places in Australia should lio. At present they were inclined to believe that this should be in the vicinity of Wyndham, and that Metbounio should be used as a centre from which a route could be established via Tasmania to New Zealaud. An Aerial Post. The establishment of postal services by aeroplane, assisted in the caso ot New Zealand by Hying boats, was quite a practical proposition, and one which ihe Dominions would no doubt put in hand at an early date. We had, as yet, not much actual experience,. but that of tho postal service which had now been in operation between Boulogne sind for some weeks—a four hours' flight under good conditions—was valuable, lie hoped it would shortly be linked up with Folkestone, and it should liheu be possible under favourable circumstances to deliver mails in Cologne within seven hours of their leaving London. A regular time-table was .being introduced, stages had been carefully mapped out, and wireless ground stations established. A system of captivo balloons was being organised which would be marked according lo the 'locality to guide pilots flying over tho clouds. They would also signal tho pilots whether it was possible to land under the clouds, and would send ground reports as to the height of clouds and weather, which would be transmitted by the ground wireless stations lo the squadron stations. The type of machine so far found most suitable and reliable was a Do Havilland, and although no effort had been made yet to carry maximum weights, it was considered that this type of machines was well able to carry up to Gcwt. of mail matter. New Zealand, owing to. the length of her coastlinc, presented' special problems, and great use could probably be made of living boats. Aerodromes could be established at convenient spots round NortlA and South Islands for commercial and postal purposes. Australia and New Zealand would no doubt lose no time in building up their own aircraft industries, but it would bo essential to have without delay one or two up-to-date and well-equipped aircraft depots to . receive and erect machines-and engines which can be obtained as the result of the war from England. Tho success of commercial flying must depend on the maintenance of reliable mid up-to-dae meteorological and wireless stations, and the information obtained from those stations must be co-ordinated and organised under State regulations as to the maintenance, mapping, and necessary lighting of all tho recognised trade routes. It. must bo faced that, particularly in the early stages, -aerial transport would be expensive in comparison with the other methods, but one must pay for speed. During the ten years before the war an average of over J23,000,000 of gold was exported annually from A us' tralia to tho United Kingdom. Business men would be able to estimate the enormous gain it would Iks if this bullion could be transferred aud put into circulation in. say, ten days instead of sixty. The same consideration applied between Australia and New Zealaud. When- ho left Paris last week progress had already been made towards tho settlement of an International Aerial Convention, the draft articles of which had been under discussion with representatives of the Dominions. After agreement with our Allies the Convention would be approved by. tlio'Peace. Conference. The organisation' of mail and trade routes and services on international lines would then become- possible,' and a comprehensive system ; of aerial 'communication should be , rapidly . established. To us was given' the great' task of building up a mighty machinery to secure tho economic future of our "worldwide Commonwealth and to act as a true and effective guardinn pf u Instills peace. (Cheers.)