MILLIONS BY AIR

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 69, 18 September 1930, Page 18

MILLIONS BY AIR

COMMERCIAL AVIATION

FEW ACCIDENTS

The development of civil flying in every direction during 1929 is recorded in the annual report of the Air MiniSt try on the progress of civil aviation, says the "Manchester Guardian.'-'"

During the past year in connection with commercial aviation there were 6932 flights, 29,312 passengers were carried, 839.7 tons of cargo conveyed, and 99.2 tons of mails transported, all these figures being far; ahead of any previous year. Joy-riding also showed a big advance, there being 53,825 flights in which 123,497- passengers were':car- j ried. A features.'of' the cargoes was the export of bullion and gold and silver; coin to tho value of £30,545,051, which was more than equal to the value of similar exports for the four previous years. A remarkable instance of the utility of air transport in difficult country is given. Imperial Airways, Limited, had provided a three-engined high-perform-auce aircraft to operate in tho service of the New Guinea Goldfields, Limited, who own goldfields ia New Guinea. These goldfields were previously separated from the coast by "everal weeks? journey through almost impassable country where wheeled traffic cannot be used and which includes a range of mountains. By air the journey is regularly accomplished within an hour, and the aircraft has now been in constant use for some time carrying.'- staff," material, and food to the goldfields, and returning to the coast with the geld* "THROUGH BOOKING." It was hoped that, arrangements! would shortly be concluded for the through booking of goods from any railway station in Great Britain" to any railway station on the Continent by a combination of rail and air services. • Thirteen financially assisted light aeroplane club 3 continued -to operate throughout 1929. The total membership of these clubs at the end of the year was 3648, as compared with .3288 at the end of 1928. Of this number 750 held civil pilots* licences, representing an increase of nearly 60 per cent, since 31st December, 1928, of these 695 qualified for their licencea on club aircraft. There were also:eight unassisted clubs. . "•-.' ' :■■ The development of commercial air-; craft in Britain had recently taken'/*; distinct, trend toward the monoplana type.' Consideration is also beinggiveff by:the Air Minister, it is stated, to » specification for the construction of:» :flying-boat which will be suitable for passenger carrying on an air line in the Mediterranean, and in which'special attention is given to the comfort of passengers, sleeping and restaurant accommodation being provided in the cabin and wings. The total weight of this aircraft will be not less than thirty tons, and three or more engines will j be employed. A speed of 110 miles per hour and an endurance of six hours are anticipated. .... EXPORT TRADE IN AIRCRAFT. During the year Great Britain continued to maintain her position as the leading country of the world so far as the export of aeronautical material is concerned, the value being £2,158,667, compared with £1,326,872 in 1928. The number of pilots' licences current at the end of 1929 waa 1270, which was an increase of 49 per cent, above the total for 1928, and 195 per cent, moro than the total for 1927; There were 90 aerodrome licences, an increase of 60 per cent, during the year. The 757 certificates of airworthiness issued included 344 for aircraft known to have been sold abroad. There were 17 major accidents and 23 minor accidents during the year. Of the major accidents, twelve were fatal, but only three of the machines were engaged in regular air transport, one being on tho Channel services and two on the India service. As stated above, commercial machines made 6932 flights.