Year's Best

In Paris last week the International League of Aviators pronounced Dieudonne Coste the world's outstanding airman of 1930. To him for the second year went the Harmon award of 50.000 francs. The awards committee had deliberated long over the name of Coste and Wing-Commander Charles E. Kingsford-Smith, both transatlantic flyers. They chose Coste, they said, because he already held five world records. Other kudos: Frank Monroe Hawks, best U. S. flyer, for his transcontinental speed flights; Amy ("Johnnie") Johnson, best woman flyer, for her London-Australia solo flight; Dr. Hugo Eckener, world's best dirigible pilot. None but Coste's was a cash award.

Zep for All

Joyrides in the Graf Zeppelin have been only for thrill-hunters of the economic calibre of William B. Leeds. The Graf's transatlantic fare last year was $2.000 to Spain, $2,250 to Germany. Last week Hamburg-American line, agent for Liftschiffbau Zeppelin announced "Zep rides for everybody" for next summer. Four-hour flights from Friedrichshafen over either Lake Lucerne, the Black Forest or the Tyrol will cost about $36 per passenger, provided 30 to 35 passengers participate. Longer, costlier flights are also scheduled.

Boston-New York

Three planes per day each way has been the New York-Boston schedule of American Airways' Colonial Division. Last week the schedule was speeded up to six planes each way, one every two hours. Explained President Frederic Gallup Coburn: "It has been the necessary practice of airlines in the past to offer infrequent schedules, which meant passengers must adjust themselves to the service. . . . We are reversing that order." But another incentive for the doubled pressure might have been the report that Ludington line, which operates a plane-per-hour service between New York and Washington, was thinking of flying between Boston and New York.

Officials last week expected the doubled service to maintain the same average. Colonials flying time is i hr. 45 min.;*fare, $15.85.

London-Mwanza

From Croydon last week flew the first plane of the new London-Africa weekly service which now runs to Mwanza, on the shore of Lake Victoria, and which is soon to be extended to Cape Town. With a change to flying boat at Athens, mail and passengers should reach Mwanza in nine days--a 32-day journey by steamer and train.

*Last week Capt. Frank Monroe Hawks flew it in 55 min., a record. Fastest train time is made by New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad's Yankee Clipper. 4 hr. 45 min.; fare $12.26. Other crack trains: Knickerbocker Limited, Merchants Limited; Pennsylvania Railroad's Senator, Colonial express.

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