Improving Salamaua’S Busy ’Drome

THE Logui aerodrome at Salamaua, which is one of the most important and busiest landing grounds in New Guinea, is at last being repaired. For several years the ’drome has been in an appalling condition, especially in heavy weather when the field became flooded.

It will be cleared, levelled, and extended 400 yards, giving a good runway of 1,000 yards.

The work is being undertaken by Mr. B. E. Weston, who has just obtained the contract from the Administration. Mr, Wes ton has been in the Territory as a builder and contractor for eight years, and has carried out much constructional work.

Three of the four main air transport companies have their headquarters at Salamaua and for a long time they have agi tated ceaselessly to the Admin istration that the aerodrome should be put in good order. It is believed that when the work now under way is completed the aviation concerns will have little cause for complaint.

The accompanying photo graph is a view of Salamaua aerodrome, taken from the air.

The buildings on the left are the hangars of the big operating companies: Top: Carpenter Airways: Centre: Holden’s Air Transport Services Ltd.; Bot tom: Pacific Aerial Transport.

The road across the lower end of the present runway is to be filled in and the whole field will be levelled off. Material for this work is being obtained from the excavation shown at the bottom left of the picture.