ATLANTIC AIR SERVICES

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1931, Page 2

ATLANTIC AIR SERVICES

The establishment of regular transatlantic air services within two years is predicted by a British aviation expert, who quotes activity in the United States and France to support his forecast. The development of a transatlantic service would probably not be easy, he writes. It would involve tho construction of flying-boats of

greater range than any at present in Ufie ) but the question lias been closely examined and those interested have N satisfied themselves that boats with a >" range of 2,000 miles and capable of carrying a load of 40Clb. or oOOU>. can be a profitable one, yielding ample freight and demanding little in the way of aerodrome or seaplane stations. If the long-range boats should prove satisfactory, the stages would not bo unduly long. The distance from Por•iignl to the Azores is 900 miles; from the Azores to Bermuda about 2,000 rules; and thence to the American mist about -700 miles. The United Itatcs and France are both construct-, ng flying-boats suitable for this serice and will have the first of them -ady for trial well within two years.S. treat Britain has no boats under con- T it ruction for a similar purpose. It is \ stated, however, that these could be r rod need in a comparatively short ime. Tt is estimated that the first ■long-range boat of this type could ho designed and built in 15 months. A Further three months would be necessary for tests, and then, if the boats were' satisfactory, reproduction could be constructed quickly. Tho Air Ministry has not given any indication that it proposes to move in this direction, hut it is clear that if provision were made in the next financial vear Great Britain need not l>e the other nations in this enterprise, x Without some such provision it seems A. certain that the United States and ! probably France will start a transatlantic service before two years have elapsed while Great Britain, to whom the Northern Atlantic has hitherto been of such great importance, will ’ not have made a beginning.