I have, for the second time, the honour of addressing you. Four years ago I told you how I had had the good fortune to discover a new method of flying with characteristics altogether different from the conventional aeroplane.

To-day, taking advantage of your kind invitation, I come to tell you of how the crude experimental autogiros of 1925 have been developed into practical flying machines. I will also deal with a number of theoretical points in justification of the assertions I have often made about the qualities of the autogiro and in answer to the criticisms of which my system has been made the object from time to time.

The ground covered by the Compagnie Generale Aeropostale comprises the following:—

• 1. The main air line from France to Chile via Toulouse, Casablanca, Saint Louis, Natal, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Santiago.

• 2. The tributary lines: Bordeaux-Toulouse; Marseilles-Barcelona; Buenos Aires-Asuncion; Buerfos Aires-Commodore-Rivadavia.

• 3. The line Marseilles-Algiers.

• 4. The line Paris-Biarritz-Madrid.

British aircraft engineering has reached a stage in its development when one is safe in saying that:—

• (a) The aerodynamics of flight is appreciated and understood to a satisfactory extent;

• (b) The methods of determining the loads likely to be present in the primary structural members are reliable;

• (c) The change over from wood to metal construction is, for all practical purposes, a reality; and

• (d) Suitable ferrous and non-ferrous materials of construction available for use by aircraft constructors have been standardised and proved to be reliable and consistent in quality.