Imperial Airways New Programme

Abstract

SPEAKING at the annual meeting of Imperial Airways, Sir Eric Geddes outlined the possibilities of, at least experimental, passenger- and mail-carrying operations across the North Atlantic next summer. A ‘Mayo’ composite aircraft in which a large seaplane, with good ‘get off’ characteristics, carries a smaller long-distance machine upon its back, releasing it at a suitable height, and also a large flying boat of more normal design are under construction, both of them having sufficient range to fly the Atlantic with adequate reserve. The westward journey will probably be London, Azores, Bermuda, New York, the latter stage being operated in conjunction with Pan-American Airways. Eastwards the direct line New York, Port Botwood (Newfoundland), Cork or Bantry Bay (Ireland), London has been surveyed, although the intermediate stations in Canada and Ireland are not yet definitely settled. The longer route outwards is necessary as stops are needed for refuelling. The prevailing west to east winds make it impossible to fly the more direct route, without landing between Ireland and Newfoundland, with sufficient fuel and still to have an economic load-carrying capacity. On the return journey, this following wind not only reduces the air mileage but also increases the relative speed.