ÆRIAL NAVIGATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 245, 16 April 1912, Page 5

ÆRIAL NAVIGATION.

FLYING THE CHANNEL. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright London, April 14. Prevost, with a passenger, crossed from Calais to Eastchurch in a biplane built in (France- to the Admiralty's order. THE TOLL OF THE AIR. Paris, April 14. Lieutenant Boncour was killed while aeroplaning at Bar-le-Duc.

NEW PLYING CORPS. THE SCHEME DESCRIBED. Speaking in the House of Commons on March 4, Colonel Seely, Under-'Scoretary for War, outlined the Government's policy with regard to the establishment of an air corps. He said:— As to aviation, a scheme has been prepared by the technical committee which has been accepted by the advisory committee appointed' in that connection, and has this morning been approved by the Prime Minister. It will now be carried into effect. There is to be one Flying Corps, embracing soldiers, sailors, and civilians—all who can fly, and will undertake the obligation to serve their country in time of war in any part of the world. No man shall hold executive rank in the Flying Corps unless he 'is himself an expert ilier. The present air battalion ceases to exist, and part of it is absorbed in the new organisation. The headquarters of the Flying Corps will be on Salisbury Plain, and a large tract of land has been purchased for the purpose, at a cost of about £OO,OOO. In the first instance, accommodation will be provided for sixty officers at the school at any one time. There are to be three terms of four months each, and we propose, all being well, to pass through 180 officers in each year. In addition, there will be non-commissioned officers and mechanics of various kinds. If an officer wants to join the Flying Corps he has first to get the consent and approval of the military authorities. Then he has to be passed by the doctor. Then he has to obtain the Royal Aero Club certificate. We do not propose to use the Central Flying School for teaching officers; we propose they should learn the elements of the air elsewhere, and then oome to the Flying School for the more advanced course.

After receiving the Royal Aero Club certificate, and 'before presenting themselves, each will receive £7's, which will cover the cost.

The military wing will consist of seven aeroplane squadrons, each containing twelve aeroplanes and a suitable number of officers to fly them. There will be an eighth squadron, consisting of balloons and kites. The balloons will consist of two dirigibles which now exist, two flights of kites, and the present free balloons, so long as they last and possibly longer, because we are told on all hands that the practice of observation in the air is very conveniently carried out from the safe platform of the free balloon. In the reserve there will be two classes. Those belonging to the first will perform cross-country flights and receive a retaining fee. The second reserve will consist of those who have passed through the course but who do not want to go through these flights or receive a retaining fee.

I shall be asked in regard to this ambitious scheme what really is going to be the total number of men who fly and how many aeroplanes have you got'. The scheme involves the purchase of 131 aeroplanes.