IMPERIAL AIRWAYS

Shannon News, 30 April 1926, Page 4

IMPERIAL AIRWAYS

PLANS AND PROSPECTS. NEW SYSTEM OF SUBSIDIES. This year is likely to prove an important one in the history of the air lines, for it will see Imperial Airways definitely develpoing away from the conditions inherited from the three air companies which it superseded in 1924 (writes C. C. Turner in the Daily Telegraph). The fleet of aircraft acquired from those companies ana their systems of, operation naturally affected the new company’s first plans, although great improvements were immediately affected. But this year .the fleet will undergo almost entire renewal. A new basis for the Government subsidies has been adopted, plans are being made for the air route from Cairo, Egypt to Karachi. India, and the traffic returns clearly indicate continuous increase in the goods transported by air between London and the Continent and also in the use by the public of air mail facilities. Some of the changes and anticipations of change are extremely intersting. One of the most important since It affects the safety and comfort of the air traveller, is Ithe foct that no single-engine aeroplanes are. now to be run in the regular British services, although a few will be kept in reserve for special and supplementary purposes. New three-engine and new two-engine machines are due for delivery in the next few weeks, these including four of the two-engine W 10 type, which are similar to the W 8 B’S already on service, and two new three-engine machines, besides one more of the type first acquired by the company last autumn. In April the fleet .will include five !three-en-gine machines, apart from a special type now being - built for the Karachi route.

One of the reasons for the adoption of thred-engine machines is that these should be absolutely immune from the need to land anywhere except in port. They possess Ithe additional advantage of being able to fly easily on any two of their engines, so that they can at all’times run on easy power, with plenty in reserve. So far as forced landings are concerned, however, the experience of the company shows that the W S B twoengine type is practically immune, and it is a point of interest that Insurance rates are lower for two and three-engine types, with a slight further favouring of tlie latter. New System of Subsidies.

Fearp have been expressed that the j new system of subsidies may lead to a reduction of the services, since it is based not merely on mileage flown, but on engine-power and mileage and with the employment of two and three-engine types, and /therefore pf a greater average power per machine this year, th 0 maximum amount of subsidy could be earned by a lower mileage figure—in other words by fewer journeys. I have made special inquiries as to this, and I am assured by those in authority that the schedule for this year's services shows no decline from last year, bult that, on thp other hand, the board and management are confident of a prospective increase in the actual mileage ‘to be flown. This is a matter of the highest importance, for the maintenance this year of the same services ■with the higher-power machines would have a tremendous significance i pointing unmistakably towards really commercial flying, which would in time even be, able to dispense with subsidies. Indeed, if in the next two years in these new conditions there is no decrease in the service, bult the very slightest increase, a turning point in the history of civil flying will have been passed. This development will be watched with the very closest interest by air transport! experts all over the world. The pioneer work which is being caried on by Imperial Airways was imperatively necessary. That a British firm is doing it is reason for satisfaction.

The apparent but very gratifying anomaly is explained by the fadt that big machines cost less to operate than small ones in comparison with the 'freight they carry. The reasons for Ihis are worthy of attention. One pilot and his assistant serve where ■two are needed for .wo smaller machine's; electrical installation, wireless, and many other, items of equipment cost no more for a big than ror a small machine; labour on the aerodrome is about the same for each; adjustments take no more time in the one case than in the other, and are in some cases easier on the big machine; and so on through a long list. One item is instructive; with the rapid process of tank-filling In use at Croydon aerodi’omo the operation is the same whether it be for a 50 or a 300-gallon tank; {the same men are required, the Isame connections have to be made, and the same disconnections; but the actual flowing of petrol into the tank takes no more than a few minutes in either case. The advanltage is all on the side of the big machine. Such an item in the course of a year, amounts to an appreciable saving.

With the increase of passenger traffic, and the even more marked increase of goods traffic, there is no reason to fear that the new management will bivalve the employment of a sjt-aff; or. the contrary, since it encourages expansion of the services and the improvement of the types In use, with corre'ponding greater attractions to the public, it should make more, surely than did the old system for increased employment and more frequenli; services. Service Schedules. The schedule, (after the winter) will lie as follows: —Three daily services to and from Paris; one daily service to Bask (Birsfelden aerodrome) and Zurich each way; one to Cologne (this is dependent upon

agreement with Germany); one (Sundays excepted) to Amsterdam; one to Ostend and Brussels. These services however, must be considered in the light of their important connections with the air services on the Continent. The great German air service organisation works in with Imperial Airways, acting for the company in Germany, and Imperial Airways acting lor them in Great Britain. The Amsterdam service connects with the service to Berlin, Konigsberg, Moscow. and other cities; and where I these extensions are concerned a the traveller. It is interesting to note thai British trade union leaders ( make frequent use of the air lines I when attending conferences abroad. Through Zurich, taking the midnight express, thence, a daily service to Rome will be possible, saving a whole cay. As already announced, Imperial Airways has come to an agreement with the Government to organise a subsidised air line from Cairo, Egypt, to Karachi, India, a distance of 2500 miles, which will mean a big saving of time. A survey has already been made from the air, and officials of the company are now surveying it in detail to arra ge halting and supply stations. Ti e service will .begin early next year, i r t first fortnightly. That it will very soon become a weekly service and secure a mail contract from the General Post office is quite certain. .Other projects are ,

being considered by the Board of Imperial Airways, but they concern the future. It is very necessary to advance step by step in an undertaking which deals w r ith air transport, for which operational data were practically non-existent, until this company w'as formed. Many'big changes are occupying the energies of Sir Eric Geddes (chairman) and the board, which includes Sir 'Herbert Hambling (de-piity-chairman of Barclay’s Bank), Sir J. G. Beharreil, Sir Samuel Inston, Air Vice-marshall Sir Vyell Vyvan, Lieutenant-Colonel BarrettLennard, and Mr. Hubert Scott-Paine with Major Woods-Humphrey as general manager.' For instance, the head-quarters of the company will from next April be at Airways House, Charles Street, " Haymarket, where they will occupy the basement and the ground and first floors. This will mean an important change , for passengers for it will be the passenger and goods receiving and despatching depot, saving some of the time now spent between the West End and the aerodrome. Passengers will leave Airways House by 'car for the aerodrome, and, arrived there, will have nothing to do except pass through the Customs office and step into the machine. Yet another change in progress is the enlarging of the aerodrome to meet future needs, and the transference or the aerodrome offices to the side of the aerodrome nearest London and the raihvny station at Waddon.

In recent articles in the Daily Telegraph I; described the measures taken by the company to ensure the safety of air travel. In no country in-the'Avorld have the inspection and care of aeroplanes been brought to such perfection. And that air travel is no longer a mere joy-riding haphazard affair is proved by the fact that insurance rates on goods conveyed by air are actually lower than they are for the same routes by, rail and boat. It is further proved by the value of the freight constantly sent by air.