31 January: The Air Ministry issued its first aviation
meteorological report – the forecast for 1 February. It was, in
part, “low clouds, poor visibility and snow showers are likely
to continue today over the British Isles. Cross-country flying
will be dangerous on these accounts" 12 February: The Department
of Civil Aviation was formed at the Air Ministry. Winston
Churchill MP was appointed Secretary of State for Air. 14 - 15
June: The first direct crossing of the North Atlantic by air
took place, flown by Captain John Alcock DFC and Lt A Whitten
Brown. They flew a Vickers Vimy from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland
to Clifden, Ireland in 15hrs 57mins. Both men were later
knighted. 21 June: The Secretary of State for Air appointed the
Standing Advisory Committee on Civil Aviation under the
chairmanship of Lord Weir to “advise and report on the best
method of organising Imperial Air Routes.” 25 August: The
world’s first scheduled international service took place when
single-engined De Havilland DH4A G-EAJC (Pilot: