Aviation News and Notes

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 264, 25 October 1930, Page 13

Aviation

News and Notes

(By

“Wing Tips.”)

A Nation’s Civil Aviation Is a Measure of its Commercial Efficiency. The Empire Is Handicapped by Air Ignorance— Help Us Conquer It I

Imuranc, is * vital proviaion for those taking up aviation, just as it is with the motor ear owner to-day. The Government now decrees by law that every motorist must insure his ear and himself for the protection of thoae using the highways. As aviation is going to progress to such an extent, the Government of this country must, in the not far distant future, frame a law compelling all persons using the airways to insure whether as aviators professionally or as passengers. At the present time insurance is optional, not obligatory, for persons who take up flying either professionally or for pleasure, end it is surprising to know how few there are who are insured against flying risk. Why is it? Is it because of a grudge, or general apathy towards insurance companies t No! I have come to the conclusion, that most peoplo who have insurance policies on their lives will not take to the air on account of the risk to their policies, and either will not, or cannot afford to pay the exorbitant loading rate that is imposed by most insurance companies to-day, and that fact alone seems to me, the reason why some, if not a great many people, prefer to have their feet on "terra Anna.” Even many pilots amongst the various aero clubs throughout this Dominion, who have ordinary insurance policies, are flying against the same, and at their own risk, preferring not to pay theh loading demanded. There ore some who can fly without prejudice to their life policies, because the policies were contracted before the advent of the Great War, and had been in force many years. Since the war the loading has boon added for the risk of flying, and this is, in the writer’s opinion, a strong argument, as to why aviation to-day is not more popular than it is, amongst the general public. I am sure that if the insurance companies wbuld take their “foot off the brake,” as it were, by relinquishing the loading rate, then more of the average insurance policy-holders would be prepared to take to the air, either professionally, as n hobby, or for pleasurable joy-rides. I know of a number of persons who are keenly interested in flying, but are handicapped by the 5 per cent, additional loading rate. Take for instance a £5,000 policy, 5 per cent, on the total sum assured is £250. which is a heavy handicap and

burden per annum if the policy holder wanted to take up a course of flying, with a view to obtaining a pilot’s license (A grade). This amount would be over and above the premiums paid, and hence the reason for many policy holders not being able to fulfil their desire to fly. I have come in contact with several business men in this town, who have said to me that if it were not for their insurances, they would take a more active interest in aviation, but on that fact alone they felt that they had to take a back seat. An insurance company with whom the writer has a policy in force sent along one of their travelling agents, with a view to further business. Being, of course, an active member of our local flying club, and knowingly hazarding my policy by the active participation in flying without the extra loading rate having been paid, the position was naturally inquired into. It turned out that the risk was on me if I continued to follow up flying, unless of course the 5 per cent, extra rate was paid. Ho was told that the extra rate was not forthcoming, and to be squeezed for oxtra premiums on what is proved today to be a minor risk was out of all reason. Most insurance companies have yet to find out that eivil aviation is as safe, if not safer, than the average car on the roads. A great opportunity awaits insurance companies for a large amount of extra business, in aviation circles, as soon as they realise that the extra rating for aviation risk is unwarranted. I am pleased to say that it came under my notice only recently that there is one insurance company in Australia and New Zealand that is writing up policies without any loading whatever, and I understand that this company has been reaping its reward in the writing up of a great amount of extra bqginess thereby. In the early stages of civil flying, speaking, of course, since the war, insurance companies were imbued with the idea that aviation would be indulged in only by the wealthy, and here was a chance for them to increase the premiums by an extra rate for this new and apparently untried and risky form of transport. The extra risk may have been justified then, but to-day aviation is now beyond the experimental stage and i, recognised as a safe and speedy means of transport for passengers and valuable merchandise.

Judging by the immense accumulated capital reserves of most of the well established insurance companies of to-day, they could very well afford to absorb, and grant the extra risk that aviation may cause to promote to existing policies, as well as to prospective policies. lam sure that if this were done, the large number of extra policies that would surely be written up in consequence would compensate the insurance companies for the little extra risk taken by them.

When wo become more "airminded” and succeed in eradicating the prejudice against flying, when we convince peoplo of its simplicity and safety in the hands of a normal person, and when wo have established landing grounds throughout the whole country, we shall see aviation adopted by people who now spend hundreds of pounds travelling by road, and who regard flying as both adventurous and expensive. No one capable of driving a car well should be incapable of flying an aeroplane, and it rests with the various bodies rnd clubs formed for the furtherance of aviation to bring these facts before the public. » • - "What is Blaugas?” This question has been asked of me. "Blaugas” may look as if it had a Scottish origin and pronunciation, but no, hero Is the secret. There is no “Scotch” whatsoever in its make-up. "Blaugas” is a gas fuel of German origin and manufacture. This gascaus fuel is used in the engines of the Graf Zeppelin. Dr. Eckener decided to use this gas after experiments with many other different combinations. The following is the mixture:—l3 per cent, ethylene, 26 per cent, propylene, 13 per cent, butylene, 25 per cent, methane, 16 per cent, ethane, and 5 per cent, hydrogen, plus 2 per cent, unsuspected, this combination gave freedom from "knocking” and permitting the compression ration in the cylinders to be increased from 6 :1 to 7:1. By its use there was a definite improvement in output of power in relation to consumption. Blaugas is very slightly denser than air. The great advantage of this fuel gas is its freedom from detonating and preignition. It gives smooth, easy running, is easy to control and allows easy starting up. It gives more heating power than petrol, or greater power per unit displacement. It costs, on the power output basis, less than petrol.

Messrs. Handley Page, Ltd. (England) are now engaged in the construction of eight four-engined, fortyseater air liners for Imperial Airways Ltd. When completed these machines will be the epitome of luxurious and safe air travel.

Mr. Hamish Armstrong, of Akitio, flying his "Moth” machine ZKABM, landed at the Longland’s aerodrome last Sunday morning at 10.30 o’clock. Having had a southerly wind behind him he made good time to Hastings. He proceeded by car to the Hastings golf links and remained there till well into the afternoon. He arrived back at the aerodrome at 3 p.m. and took off for Akitio half an hour later. The strong winds blowing from a southerly quarter last Sunday would not have been conducive for a fast journey on his return flight.

Last Wednesday morning was the time decided upon for the official tests for pilots’ A licenses. WingCommander L. Grant-Dalton arrived at the ’drome at 9.30 a.m. and immediately commenced his examination of the trainees. The horizon in the west looked black, warning the approach of rain and storm. Within a few minutes of two machines having gone up to perform their evolutions, the storm broke upon the aerodrome with no “beg pardons.” The early morning was beautiful and placid, but turned out to be simply the calm before the storm. One of the machines struck the full force of the gale when within a few feet of landing and the pilot was given a severe test in handling the machine. Eventually he landed safely under what can be termed very difficult conditions. The pilot, though young in flying experience must be congratulated on his performance in making a safe landing. Like conditions have not been experienced at the aerodrome before and it was most unfortunate for the club to have its “tests” in such weather. A pilot tests were suspended for the day, but the Wing Commander set the club’s now instructor aloft to ascertain the conditions, prevailing at altitude. The report being unfavourable for continuance of flying he examined the pilots in general knowledge and rules of the air. Wing-Commander Grant Dalton decided to go aloft himself to see what the conditions actually were and off he went solo. On making his landing he found the wind close to the ground very tricky, but made a very good landing under difficult conditions. This was indeed a sporting action but nevertheless he decided that the tests for endorsed A licenses be continued, as flying in such weather conditions was a sure test of ability. It is very gratifying to the local club that the three pilots sitting for their endorsed A tickets passed. The Wing Commander’s endorsement was added immediately after, to the A pilots’ licenses of Messrs. Guy Field, Maurice Field and Brian Boys. In one stage of these tests, when Mr. Brian Boys was in the air, he experienced the sensation of flying backwards. This is a case when the force of the wind is greater than the forward speed of the ’plane, which is therefore carried backwards. For this manoeuvre just sufficient engine is required to be on to give flying speed and lift, and the force of the wind does the rest, whilst the ’plane is in level flight.

The “A” tests were continued early on Thursday morning, when the following pilots gained their licenses: Messrs. B. D. Brown (Hastings), Alan Dods (Gisborne), S. Stokes (Dannevirke), Alan Powdrell (Napier). These are to be congratulated on gaining their A tickets. The local club has now four of its members with endorsed licenses, probably constituting a record for New Zealand. The license entitles the holders to fly with a passenger, but not for hire or reward. The club should be proud of these four advanced pilots, and they too are to be congratulated. * * » Mr. Alan Dods, of Gisborne, was tho guest of Mr. and Mrs. B. M. Kessell, Kitchener street, Hastings, whilst undergoing a refresher course, and for the test which took place this week. Mr. Dods returned to Gisborne on Friday. • * » The conditions of the weather over Show week were such that little opportunity was given for visitors and the public to take joy-rides in the club’s machines. It is to be hoped that better conditions will prevail over this week-end, and, given good weather a large crowd is

expected at the aerodrome to witness the machines take the air, and bookings for flights will probably be heavy. People should be early if they want to avoid waiting to go up. Three machines will be in commission to cope with the expected demand. « • » The following persons took flights over last, week-end: Mrs. B. Nairn, Messrs. A. Chote, N. Olliver, A Fox, and J. Stratton. » • • The total flying time for the weekending 19th. inst. was 16 hours 15 minutes, made up as follows:—Solo, 8 hours 5 minutes; dual instruction, 3 hours 30 minutes; cross-country, 4 hours 10 minutes (to Wellington and return). Passengers, 30 minutes. # * * On Thursday (the last day of the Royal Show) the club operated one of its machines near the showgrounds on what is known as Simson’s paddock. For that part of the afternoon when conditions appeared more favourable, the machine was kept very busy. The following 12 persons took flights:— Messrs. Kirk, Ford, Ritchie, Parmenter, Sephton. Kirk, Cuthbert, Mintoft, Robinson, Mintoft, McKay and Wallace. MISUNDERSTOOD The airport was a modern one, equipped with wireless, etc. The senior pilot, whilst tuning in one day, suddenly straightened up, then, with hands affectionately clasping his back, exclaimed, “I believe I’m getting lumbago! ” “What’s the use of that?” queried the hangar-boy, “you won’t be able ,to -nderstand a word they say.”