Aviation and Weather

Abstract

ATLANTIC flying is steadily increasing in interest with the delay occasioned by the weather and by the increase in the number of competitors with the lapse of time. If any season of the year is favourable to a westerly flight it is the spring, and certainly just at present the prevailing east winds over the Atlantic near the surface of the sea would, in a measure, encourage the aspirants for a flight from the British Isles westwards. St. John's, Newfoundland, is evidently a badly chosen spot for a start on an easterly flight, if only for the reason that should a start be made the prevailing fogs would not allow of a safe return if for any reason a return is necessary. In a westerly flight from the European side certain localities must be avoided for landing, due to the well-known prevalence of fog. The shoal-water in the neighbourhood of St. John's is evidently an important factor in the formation of fog, and with easterly winds fogs seem to be much intensified. The United States naval seaplanes have accomplished their first stages as far as Newfoundland satisfactorily, but the next stage to the Azores is a more severe test. Adverse winds would materially hamper their flight, and at present it scarcely seems that contrary winds can be avoided on a part at least of the route to be chosen. American warships are stationed between Newfoundland and the Azores at such distances apart as must afford considerable confidence to those engaged in the flight. The brightness of the moon just now will be an additional advantage if winds and weather promise to be favourable.