One Million Planes

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1036, 29 July 1930, Page 8

One Million Planes

AMERICA’S AIRWAYS IN 1945 WITHIN 10 years the airways of the United States of America will be operated by 250,000 privately-owned airplanes, while by the year 1945 that number will have increased to 1.000,000. Such startling calculations are embodied in the figures issued by the Division of Commercial Research of the Curtis Publishing Company, and in support of the prophecy are the facts that already the sales of aircraft have assumed big proportions, hundreds of schools are training pilots, and aero shows are rapidly replacing motor shows.

These figures are indeed startling, and far beyond the imagination of most New Zealanders. The research division has worked out the number of the population, in the classes with incomes above £I,OOO per annum, and it is found that by 1945 they will number 2,750,000. Eliminating 40 per cent, of these, for reasons of health, age, or other causes, as not being possible buyers of planes, leaves 1,650,000 possible buyers. If only one-half are purchasers, it gives a possible market of 825,000. In addition, there will be sales of planes to thousands of businesses and corporations, as well as the regular airtransit lines and flying clubs. The total of 1,000,000 planes becomes a possibility. If the unparalleled increase of motor-cars is any criterion, the plane market has a rosy time ahead. In 1900 there were 8,000 motor-cars in use. Fifteen years later the number was 1,625,000—-or an increase of 20,000 per cent. The present sales of aircraft have assumed big proportions. In the nine weeks ending May 31, the Los Angeles Airport announced the sale of 22 planes. The Boeing airplane factory employs 850 men. and was given one order recently for 20 large machines, estimated to cost half a million dollars, to carry mail. One may fly from New York to San Francisco in 32 hours. The United States Postmaster-General has stated that “the Government’s ultimate intention is to develop a nation-wide network of passenger and express airlines, upon which the transportation of mails will perhaps be only an incidental operation.” The chambers of commerce, which formerly organised periodical tours by trains, now plan air travel to view the country. Forest patrols, supplied with planes, have suggested aerial police squads which, in some cases, make eight flights daily, looking out

for fires, fugitives from law. and persons in need of help on the highways, etc. Hundreds of schools are training pilots, and the State and National Governments are stiffening up the regulations under which commercial air services are operated. In Canada no fewer than 4,480 persons were having instruction, recently, from 22 light plane clubs. Security and banking concerns are now offering to finance time-payment on machines, the deposit being about one-third of the landed cost to the purchaser. In Australia there are 10 passenger planes carrying on transit services in Queensland. In New South Wales and Victoria there are 200 airdromes and landing places. In Melbourne an aerial transport company runs air excursions for tourists. A 100-mile flight, in a four-seater machine, sells for £2 10s, and a 31-hour tour costs £6 10s. This company operates 10 machines. Only in a mild way has t'le New Zealand Government realised the possibility of the airplane in commerce, and the paving of the way is left to private enterprise, which is handicapped by lack of Government subsidy and the slow-turning wheels of officialdom. Attempts have been made ever since the advent of private flying clubs in the Dominion to form airway companies; but investors have been dubious

Light 'plane owners have indulged in aerial surveying and joy-riding; but all the novelty of flying merely for pleasure is diminishing, and the airminded New Zealand is now awaiting for the swift and comfortable transport of the airliner. But flying on a commercial basis in New Zealand is going ahead, as indicated in the new Hamilton venture to establish aerial taxis. Aero clubs # throughout the country are training pilots and hand-in-hand with this must come the use of the airplane on a greater commercial scale.