TAXIS IN THE AIR

Hokitika Guardian, 27 April 1933, Page 8

TAXIS IN THE AIR

RIVAL OF MOTOR-CARS

PROPECiS FOR FUTURE

SYDNEY, April 13

Air taxis are a possibility of the near future, according to Mr J. N. \A eir, the young Australian pilot, who returned to Sydney lately, after several months with a large 'aviation .concern in England. He was last year forced to abandon at Karachi an attempted solo flight to England. A six horse-power “semi-gliding” machine, said Mr Weir, had become very popular in England for training purposes. It was only a single-seater Imt experiments were now bejng carried put with c. .15 horse-power machine capable of carrying two persons, travelling at 60 miles an hour, and consuming the same quantity of petrol per mile as a. light single-seater ear. As its landing speed would he 20 miles an. hour, it could land on roofs, and he would not he surprised, it provided a certificate of airworthiness for commercial purposes could he obtained from the Air Ministry, business men preferred them to ears in the course of the next few years.

Officers of the More ton ’ Bay, on which Mr Weir travelled, brought news of a huge airport contemplated for the City of London. Central Air Ports, Limited, they said, proposed to construct an aerodrome in the heart of London, 0 n the roofs of St Paneras and King’s Cross railway stations, covering an area of nearly 150 acres. The project would cost £6,000,000, and a bill was stated to have been drafted for passage through Parliament, to give the necessary legal permission for the construction. The plans provided for hangars, cafes, waiting rooms, and a hotel, surrounded by a large circular landing field. A huge flashing beacon would guide aircraft to the city, and lifts would carry passengers to and fiom the street level.