The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-07-18

of Cooks itinerary.)
 Although the crossing of the At 1antic Ocean by aeroplane has proved to be under decent weather condi- tions a practical proposition, it will be some time before either a regular neroplane or airship service between Europe and America Is established on sound commercial basis
 The Cairo to Capetown air route. on the other hand, looks more prom ising.
 Already the work of constructing the necessary aerodromes, petrol de- pots. etc. is well in hand. and at the present moment there is nothing to prevent a machine similar to that employed on the Atlantic flight making the complete journey in three or four days.
 For commercial purposes the au- thoritles are agreed that aeroplanes should not mako continuous flights of over 400 miles without landing. which naturally entails the prepara- ton of many aerodromes.
 This. perhaps. is the greatest diffi- culty with which our trans-African air pioneers have to contend, for nearly three-fourths of the route lies over country clothed with forest or bush. fin which n forced landing means q crash nine times out of ten.
 It is proposed. however. to employ seaplanes or flying boats for the whole length of the Nile. and possi- bly over Lake Victoria Nyanza: while in German East Africa there are al- ready several excellent aerodromes constructed by the R. r. c. during the war
 Weather Conditions.
 ,f f1r tr ia vor of the establishment of regular air routes to Capetown is the climate. Contrary to what one might expect, the actual atmospheric conditions even in the tropics are infinitely bet ter suited for flying than those of Northern Europe.
 During the hours of a. m. and p. m. the air is certainly very bunny near the ground, but if ma chimes flew at all between these hours they would have no difficulty in ascending to a height of over 5000 feet. where, except in cloudy weather there is always a stead dy stratum.
 But flying will be carried out usu- ally in the early morning or late evening. and, as soon as system of signal lights be established, at night. This will not suit passengers. how ever, who will naturally wish to en- joy the magnificent and absolutely unrivalled scenery of the Dark Con- tinent.
 The only time in the year when flying conditions are not favorable Is during the rainy season, when vio- lent thunder storms are experienced and the sky is laden with heavy clouds. and the lower-fiying parts of the country hidden in thick mist.
 The rainy season, however, occurs in different parts of the country at different times, and by having alter nate routes there should be no ddff1- culty in keeping clear of these unde- sirable phenomena.
 The Proposed Route.
 The royte suggested by the R. A. F. authorities, and which is now be- ing surveyed and prepared in three sections: CD Egypt and the Soudan, C2) Central Africa, and (3) South Africa. commences at Cairo and fol- lows the Nile to zolso, on the borders of Uganda.
 Thence it cuts across Lake Victoria NyanEa to Kisumu, and follows the lake shore to Muanza. in German East Africa.
 N Moving slightly west again, 1t touches Ujiji, the terminus of the German Central Railway, and follows Lake Tanganyika to F[Ituta, whence it runs south through Rhodesia to Broken Hill, Bulawayo, Mafeking, Kimberley. and finally to Capetown.
 Roughly speaking. it is 5,40O miles in length, and in stages the whole Journey could be made in comfort in seven days. which compares favora- bly, with three weeks voyage from Southampton.
 Commercial Advantages.
 irtn deta nr cost and upkeep of aeroplanes, aero dromes, personnel, etc, it may be stated without exaggeration that the commercial advantages of linking up these great African possessions and dependencies of ours with tho m1ther country will be enormous.
 For mail carrying alone the service will be justified, while the passenger traffic will be enough to keep fleets of aeroplanes fully occupied, nor will there be any shortage of cargo.
 Machines flying south will carry commercial travellers with their samples. and bring back loads of to- bacco or special tropical fruits Inn agine the price per pound that a ton of ripe mangoes would fetch at Covent Garden in mid-winter!
 Theatrical stars will be able to carry out engagements in Durban, Johan- ueSburE, ana CapetoWH, anu De DelSh in London in one month. Then there is the sporting aspect. The finest big game hunting country in the world will be placed within four days of London. Cooks will run special IA days elephant hunts in Central Af- rica! Not only is this within the bounds of probability; it is within the bounds of possibility.
 gixhtseers for many years will form a great proportion of the air passengers
 There are no more beautiful sights in the world than the Nile. the great African lakes. Mount Kenia, Duwen- zorf and Ki1imanjaro, as seen from tho air.
 The air scenery of Central Africa is magnificent. There. instead of the conventional geometrically ruled out feids, railways. and cities of civiliza- ton, one has a glorious vista over the
 ~1~ut. ro1A rsrtft h e