Atlantic flight and its bearings on meteorology

The development of long‐distance air routes in recent years has necessitated the expansion of meteorological services in different countries and, in certain cases, the establishment of organised meteorological services where none existed previously. A position is thus being approached gradually in which an organised system of meteorological observations will exist over the greater part of the globe, and material for a study of world meteorology, to an extent hitherto unknown, will be available to investigators. In the case of the long trans‐ocean air routes which are projected, a special study of prevalent meteorological conditions from the point of view of aviation is necessary. The fundamental data in such cases are supplied by observations from selected ships which bridge the gaps between the fixed continental observing stations and so contribute to the world network. Certain of the meteorological problems which have arisen, owing to the proposed establishment of a regular trans‐Atlantic air service, are discussed both from the point of view of aviation requirements and also as contributing to meteorological knowledge. A brief account is also given of the organisation devised to ensure an adequate meteorological service for trans‐ocean flights.