IMPERIAL AIRWAYS FLYING BOAT SERVICE TO THE USA

IMPERIAL AIRWAYS FLYING BOAT SERVICE TO THE USA

IN THE MID-1930’S

This service was introduced in the mid-1930’s and the Short S30LR (Long Range) Flying Boat was used. The flight commenced at Hythe (Southampton) and an overnight stop was made at Botwood en route to the USA, due to the time factor and landing a Flying Boat on Rivers, etc at night with no Runway lights is hazardous. It was also a Summertime service only due the shorter daylight hours and lakes and rivers freezing over in Canada and the Northern USA during Winter. NOTE: There is no overnight stop at Botwood on the return flight from the USA.

The flight from Foynes in Ireland to Botwood in Canada will use 78% of a full tank if speed is kept at 165-170 MPH at 4,500 ft Altitude and the headwinds are not too severe. Return flight on this sector used 72%.

The route must be close to water at all times in the event of having to make an emergency landing and this is no problem from Hythe to Botwood. From Botwood, we fly over the Gulf of St Lawrence and can follow the St Lawrence River all the way to Montreal (CYUL) landing on the south side close to the ZDB NDB 201.00Khz

From Montreal, we fly south towards Burlington, then follow the Hudson River past Glen Falls, Albany, all the way down to La Guardia’s 4NY2.

Flight No SOUTHAMPTON-FOYNES-BOTWOOD-MONTREAL-NEW YORK

IMP/USA-1 Read Down¯

Daily Remarks Daily

ICAO Airport	Arr. Dep	AIRCRAFT Short S30LR ‘Cabot’	Arr. Dep.
EGH? Hythe	05.30¯	ß Load 60% Fuel only	11.15
?FOY Foynes	08.15 08.45¯	ß Fuel to MAX. Load 60% Fuelà	08.45 09.15
CCP2 Botwood	17.30 07.30¯	ß Overnight here. Fuel to MAX à	16.30 17.00
CYUL Montreal	12.55 14.00¯	ß Load 60% Fuel only à	09.15 09.45
4NY2 New York	15.15	Load 60% Fuel only à	Depart 07.00