BELGIUM'S Great Air Activity.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 July 1922, Page 4

BELGIUM'S Great Air Activity.

BRUSSELS, June 2. Belgium is fast becoming flic centre of aviation for Western Europe. Various new lines to the north, oast, and south will converge on Brussels, just as almost all the European expresses meet here to disgorge mails, passengers, and luggage for conveyanco to the distant parts of the world by ship, by barge, or train. The same factors that made Belgium a railroad centre will operate in the case of airships. Absolutely flat, so far as the Flemis! plains are concerned, with few trees and no “accidents,” the hind, much ol which lias been reclaimed from the sea. is simply “made” for laying down railway lines.

ft also affords excellent ground for flying. Pilots can follow the canals, straight as a dart, that run across the country. If there is engine trouble 0 is easy to come down anywhere, tin greatest damage being the destruction of a few sugar-beet, for tile carefully tilled land makes a soft-landing place. Alotor garages, with skillnl engineers in charge, are numerous, and there (lie airship can he repaired, or if it is beyond such aid the passengers can sent on with the minimum loss of time.

Easily the most accessible place in Western Europe. Brussels lias become ,he meeting-place of international aviation authorities. Safe within the precincts of the Aero Club they deliberate ill camera, living backwards and forwards to Loudon, Paris, La Have, or Stockholm, none knowing of their goings or coinings. Decisions about the routes between London and Brussels on the outgoing ami incoming journeys arc slu.uMy l be taki H. v. bile the air authorities have decided to recommend the obligatory installation of wireless telegraphic apparatus on all aeroplanes plying for passengers. These questions, already piactiiall.t settled, will be finally dealt with at the International Aviation Conference at Paris.

I Ton thousand trial flights were made from tlio Evore Aerodrome, just outside Brussels, and a distance equal to five times round the world was covered in the c.mnk' of last year. This month there will be ail international a via tiem meeting at Evore, under the p.ui'ou.igo of the King, for military and ermmereinl flying. One hundred and fifty thousand francs (Belgian) will he given in prizes, for sliced, landing, rising, construction. and economy in combustion. Belgium has inherited and improved ; all the acoial installations left .behind 1 hv the Bridie, who carried out his Zep- ■ polin and Gotha attacks on England from his . :t*?rotlromes just outside Hrusj sols, t!io groat, halls by a strange irony now serving for Belgian airships.