This paper is illuminative and affords an opportunity for better comprehension of the remarkable progress and accomplishment made in Europe along the lines of commercial aviation. Reviewing the present European routes now in regular or partial operation, the author stresses the essentialness of the attitude of the press in general being favorable if commercial aviation is to become wholly successful.
The airship appears most practical for long-distance service, to the author, and he mentions the possibility of towns and cities growing up around “air ports.” The cost of airship travel is specified, although it is difficult to figure costs and necessary charges because so few data on the depreciation of equipment are available.
Regarding successful operation, much depends upon the efficiency of the ground personnel and organization. It is present practice to send out to aviation pilots by radio telegraph hourly weather warnings which give the height of the clouds, the degree of fog at ground level and details of visibility.
Following a discussion of the matter of Governmental subsidies, the author describes the different kinds of machines and states many of the advantages and disadvantages of single and multi-engine aircraft, his opinion being that multi-engine machines are necessary, especially for extremely large units.
The main subjects considered thus far include the necessity of securing public confidence in the safety and reliability of the service, insurance, governmental assistance, the Air Convention, the matter of passports and visés, customs airdromes, the status of manufacturers, enclosed cabins, the materials of construction, the desirable number of engines, marine aircraft and the possibility of using transferable packing-cases. The illustrations show a few of the types of airplane most commonly used in transport and “taxi” service.