The Problem of Aerodromes From Our Aviation Correspondent With the predicted popular price of the aeroplane cne has visions of cheaper freight. The cost of an aeroplane lies in its engine, and now that manufacturers have a free hand for designing any type they like, it is not unreasonable to. suppose that by a system of standardization of machines the commercial plane will be reduced in price commensurate with the smaller passenger type. While private enterprise is carrying on the missionary work, one has look at the other side of aviation—the cost of ground organization—before flying will be really cheap. When this is reckoned out it will be found that Lerein lies the expense.
Land organization in the. war was 60 per cent. more costly than. the flying branch. This figure may be taken as a guide for commercial purposes. Aerial highways will require a continuous chain of aerodromes, lighthouses, signally stations, hangars and a hundred other incidentals, and although there is no outlay on the airway it will be seen that the necessary ground organization is a considerable item. It will be necessary to have terminal aerodromes 400 miles apart and auxiliary ones at 200. These alone even minus equipment will be costly, and unless the governments concerned assist in the: matter no private company can be-expected to make such an outlay an experimental route.
"Hanns or? Macgixes."
State aid obviously must. be applied with the utmost care, and the report of the Cival Aerial Transport Committee recently published' is well worth attention, In their report to the. Air Ministry they suggest. that Government funds. be forthcoming to help civil flying, and that no better way could they be spent than on the creation and maintenance of a chain of main aerodromes and emergency alighting points. Such an aid as this would ensure that aircraft manufacturers would have a free hand to carry out designs for new planes, unhampered by government restrictions, while government would still be ing development. Direct!y war control was released we forged ahead. Whatever is the outcome of State aid let it be "Hands off' the machines."
As showing what will be expected" from government aid, the following remarks about aerodromes are good illustration. Terminal aerodromes would have to be at least 400 yds. square, with auxiliary ones 200 yards square. The surface of the ground should be firm, the best. results being obtained from short. grass. If the surface is rough or in ridges a great strain is placed upon the under-carriage. Tf trees or telegraph wires border the ground, another 100 yds, must be allowed for clearing the obstacles.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.