Flying at ninepence per mile

An ambitious scheme for an air-taxi service was inaugurated last month by National Flying Services, Ltd., when the first batch of a fleet of fifty-five Desoutter cabin monoplanes were delivered to them at Hanworth and put into operation.

These machines are available for public hire at the rate of 1/6 per mile for two passengers or 9d. a mile per head—the lowest so far offered in aerial transport.

The London Air Park at Hanworth is the first station to be equipped with these taxi-planes and will be followed by stations at Reading, Hull, Leeds, Nottingham and other centres where aerodromes are in course of construction.

The new Desoutter recently passed its acceptance tests and gave very good results. With an 115 h.p. Cirrus-Hermes engines it flies at a maximum speed of 114 m.p.h. The cabin of the machine contains one seat in front for the pilot and two comfortable seats behind for the “fares.” The cabin is warm and there is no need for the occupants to wear special flying kit, moreover conversation may be carried on with the same ease as in a car.

The service has already proved very popular and the Desoutters are being chartered extensively for both business and pleasure purposes.