Westminster has during the last two weeks been the scene of perhaps the most remarkable and momentous enquiry in aviation history. While we write the court is still in session and nothing is yet known of its findings. The Comet disasters came as a tremendous shock and discouragement, and their repercussions have been felt the world over. The knowledge and experience which have now been gained are, however, two important items on the credit side. There are some who (particularly in retrospect) would say that it was na‹ve to expect successfully to double transport speeds and operating heights in a single stage. Yet every new step, especially if it is a bold and enterprising one, involves a calculated risk. Everyone knows this well enough, and fortunately, we believe, very few are lacking in spirit that they stand still or condemn others for pressing on.
Soviet Forestry Work
As in other densely forested countries the Soviet Union is making wide use of aircraft in connection with forestry work. Regular fire-detection patrols are flown, the aircraft carrying parachutists specially trained to fight forest fires. It is claimed that up to 80 per cent of forest fires throughout the U.S.S.R. are spotted from the air. During 1952 over 60 per cent were extinguished by parachutist fire-fighters.
Brabazon Speech
Lord Brabazon of Tara delivered the Morgan Morgan Foundation Lecture to the Institute of Patentees in London on October 20th. He referred to the gas turbine; and now, he said, we were hearing of jet levitation. This last development interested him profoundly, for he could not believe that the future of flying lay in a world strewn with two-mile runways.
B.E.A. Cabin Speakers
B.E.A. are at present experimenting with public address systems in their Viscounts, and during a flight in one of the machines last week we were able to hear the results. Though the particular installation to which we listened was satisfactory, it still left a little to be desired in regard to background hum. The way in which the microphone is held and the pitching of the voice obviously had a great deal to do with reception. Whereas the captain came through clearly and his crisp and concise remarks were indicative of R/T. experience and discipline, the melodious and drawing-room tones of the stewardess were soothing but almost undecipherable.
Source: Flight International
