NATO Power Lacking
Speaking at Fontainebleau on December 7th, General Norstad, American Commander-in-Chief, Allied Air Forces, Central Europe, said that air power available at the present time was "far short of the military requirements." The General went on: "I believe, however, that the forces we now have in process of organization and equipment represent a significant factor in the overall balance. We are reaching about this time a level where in the sad event of war we could take a toll and exact a price. We cannot, of course, achieve our full military mission by any means. But I think we have become at least a small deterrent factor."
U.S.A.F. Accidents
The disturbing total of 288 lives was lost in accidents involving American military aircraft during November and December. Great concern is felt in Washington at these figures, and Mr. Finletter, Secretary for Air, said last week that "nothing less than the complete absence of accidents" would be regarded as satisfactory.
Both Mr. Finletter and Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg (Air Force Chief of Staff) produced statistics showing that major accidents had, during 1952, dropped to an all-time low of 29 per 100,000 flying hours: this was calculated on a total of 8,000,000 flying hours during the first 11 months of the year.
Tarmac Obstruction
A car driver who, having business at London Airport, drove his vehicle onto the apron without the required authority, was fined a total of £15 at Uxbridge recently on two summonses for contravening the Air Navigation Order (1949). He was also ordered to pay 12 guineas cost. It was stated that the car came into collision with a taxying T.C.A. aircraft, as a result of which the vehicle was struck and damaged by one of the airscrews. The service was delayed for two hours.
Source: Flight International
