AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1931, Page 5

AVIATION

AIRSHIP POLICY. BRITAIN'S UNCERTAINTY (British Official Wireiess.) RUGBY, -May 1-r, In a statement in the Commons regarding the airship policy. Mr Mao l Jon ald said it was perfectly obvious' after the deplorable HIOI accident, that the whole policy ami progi amine should lie reviewed, and the Government hud turned with a good deal of expectation to the report compiled, alter extraordinary patience and powerful examination ol the ease, by a committee over which Sir J. Simon had presided.

The position confronting the Government at the moment, lie said, was that airships had proved neither a failure nor assured success. Britain had one airship. lUOO, which was '-cry much out of condition by lack of use. .Assuming this ship were retained, there would he no idea of long spectacular flights. It would he a sort of experimental ship. There was a whole field of unsolved problems that ought to lie investigated, and the airship re-conditioned, would be the most useful for testing and investigation by a nuelues staff. This would cost £l2O-. 000 in the first year, C 130,000 in the second year and the peak figure would be '£140.000. The Government favoured the adoption of this scheme tvhioh should lie revised and reviewed thoroughly at the end of three or four years. If, in the meantime, developments convinced the Government thav there was nothing in airships, or on the other hand, some wonderful flight, made with a new type of airship, convinced the Government there was * great future for airships, to which Britain could not he indifferent, the scheme could accordingly he dropped or extended. He urged the adoption of the scheme without deny. Sir S. Home agreed that in face of the great advantage the airship might he to the Empire in fu.vure, all the research experimental work done in the last five years should not he scrapped. Britain should proceed with the research programme and watch closely the interesting experiments proceeding in Germany and the United States, and keep the RIOO in condition for purely experimental 'technical flights. Sir J. Simon also supported the proposal.

WAGHORN’S DEATH. EVIDENCE AT INQUEST. , LONDON, May 14. Recumbent in a hospital chair, the airman, Alexander, who shared the late Ljcutennnt AYaghorn's fatal flight on May oth., gave evidence at the inquest on AVoghorn. He staled that Wugborn made an attempt at a half roll after three successful loops. The machine side slipped out of control. and it spirally dived. AVaghorn violently worked the controls. Then lie glanced at the wing tips, and exclaimed: “AA'e’ve got to jump!’ AVaghorn jumped first. Alexander went over head first, parachuting to the roof of a shed. (toiler evidence was to the effect that the machine had been inspected and found fit to fly two or three days before the accident. It was overheavy for a half roll. Tlic Coroner expressed the opinion that the inspection was rather a casual one, no certificate was given of an inspection for air worthiness. AIR MAILS. AUSTRALIANS NOT ENTHUSIASTIC. SYDNEY, -Alay 15. Tim number of letters which are carried by the second British air matt yesterday was loss than half the number brought l»y the first air mail. The question of subsidising airmails has not been entertained by the lederal Government.

The Federal Government has also rejected an offer of the Dutch air authorities to conduct a British-Austra--1 ion service free of subsidy if the Dutch authorities would he allowed to impose certain conditions, including a heavier surcharge than the British. It is also asserted that there is nor much enthusiasm here towards an arr mail from Loudon to Australia, as the distance is too greate and the obstacles are too many.