Notes

Abstract

THE projected Atlantic flight is naturally exciting considerable interest at present, but it has recently been bad flying weather, and large storm systems have been sweeping eastwards across the ocean. for the flight to be safe and successful such disturbances must be avoided. In a statement issued on Monday by the Air Ministry relative to the weather factor of the flight, estimates were given of the time required for the flight eastwards and westwards between Newfoundland and Ireland under favourable and adverse conditions during the months of April, May, and June. The report states “that in every case weather conditions are more favourable for flying from Newfoundland to Ireland than from east to west, and that it would on certain occasions be impossible to accomplish the journey in the latter direction.” It is not easy to see how the Air Minstry has used the available data, and there must necessarily be a great element of doubt meteorologically. The aeroplane flying eastwards will travel about four times as fast as the average easterly translation of an Atlantic storm, and may quite easily overtake at least one storm. A storm, on an average, takes four or five days in crossing the Atlantic from shore to shore; it may, however, be developed in mid-ocean and start its passage eastwards, and when nearing the European side the track of the storm may quite possibly be to the northward. The upper air generally has a quick movement to the eastward. So far as possible, for a successful air passage choice should be made of a period when the Atlantic is comparatively free from important storm areas; such periods exist, but under the present conditions indefinite waiting has its drawbacks. Meteorologists can scarcely favour an attempt to fly westwards until further experience is gained of the movements of the upper air.