WIRELESS NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 April 1927, Page 1

WIRELESS NEWS

MOORING MASTS. RUGBY, April 27. .Major Scott, the famous airship captain, has just left for Canada, accompanied by Air Gibbs, of the Works and Buildings Department of the Air Mi«istry. Mr Gibbs lias been in charge of arrangements for the erection of three airship mooring masts at Cardington, Ismailia. and Karachi. The object of this visit is to advise tlie Canadian Government on the best site for a mooring mast group. Captain Followes and Flight-Lieu-tenant ■ Nixin, of the Royal Airship Works, and Mr Gihlett, the airship meteorologist, are on a tour to South Africa and Australia to give similar advice to those Dominions. Flightlxiutenant Nixon will also explore the possibilities of establishing colonies in West and East Africa. NEGOTIATION'S WITH GERMANY. RUGBY, April 27.

Sir Philip Cunlilfc-Li-Lor. Secretary of the Board of Trade, stated in the House of Commons that the negotiations with Germany for mutual air traffic agreements were making good progress, and he hoped it would bo possible to sign an agreement at an early date. NEW DISTRESS SIGN. RUGBY, April 27. A new distress sign for a world’s ,-ode of air .signs was considered and adopted by tlie International Commission for Air Navigation, which ended its sittings in London to-day. in future any aircraft which is in difficulties not serious enough to warrant an S.O.S. will send out the international signal ol ‘‘Pan, which is an abbreviation ol the French word for breakdown. .Medical qualifications for male pilots wore also examined by the eoliloreiice, and a complete chart ol the qualities and mental roquirpments which constitute the perfect pilot were drawn tip. A decision that in future women can qualify lor •'li” certificates in aviation was also reached. This means that even the heaviest class oi machines are thrown open In women pilots, the only provi-o being that women aviators shall be re-examined luedii ally olive in three months. instead of ix, as in the ease ol men. T„ navigate a heavy air liner a woman would not only have to be a first-class pint, but her muscular development and general strength would have to be much above the average, and tins decision, although it removes any grievance that, may lie entertained by women pilot-, makes it unlikely tli.d many will be employed. except on small machines. It was also agreed that should pilots following a railway or canal be lorced to alight, they will travel as tar away irom the railway or canal as possible. A new chapter concerning the standard minimum requirements lor an airworthiness certificate J adopted.