FLYING TO AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 19, 17 October 1919, Page 7

FLYING TO AUSTRALIA

CAPTAIN MATTHEWS'S VOYAGE

DETAILS OF HIS PLANS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, October 13. Captain Matthews hopes to maintain an average speed of ninety miles per hour, and will fly five hours a day. He apprehends that Ins most serious difficulties will be caused by the variable weather over Malaya, and the fact that landing grounds beyond India are an unknown quantity. He will, therefore, be satisfied if ho completes the journey within six week?. Caplain Matthews is mo.ro interested in demonstrating tlio utility of a single-engined aeroplane for long distances than in winning the prize, although he will do his best to win. To do the jfmrjwy within thirty days with reisonable certainty would require relay pilots and prepared landing grounds.He expect? to maintain an altitude of between COW and 10,000 feet. _ Caotnin Matthews will beain his flight on Sunday. He was formerly in the mercantile marine, and holds an extra master's certificate. He joir.ed the Light Horse at the outbreak of war, end obtained a commission at GnlHnoli. Subsequently he joined the Australian Flymr Corns in France. Tie lies nu intimate knowledge of the Malnv Archipelago and Celebes. Sergeant ICnv. his mechanic, has been trained as relief pilot. The machine carries fuel for a 1200 miles flight in ealm weath< v, \ No wireless anparatns is fitted. The rente is, roughly, over France, Italy, and Greece, thenco to Egypt, through Mesopotamia, and aeros= the north coast of the Per o ' l "! Gvi'f to Karachi, across Tntlin to Calcutta, and down the Malay Peninsula, with a landing at Rangoon. Thei'ce it rn"s to Bntnvia, Timor, and Darwin. The aviators will relv for food unon the hosnital : ty of the countries they 'nnd. Acting on the advice "f the Air Ministry, " repeating rifle will be rnrried 'to emubit any hostile savages. Contain Matthew° carries an autogranh Wter from the King to Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson. Governor-General of Australia.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asai. POULET'S FLIGHT. Paris, October 15. Poulet after passing Lyons flew over St. Rambert and drouned a bouquet with a card attached, inscribed: "To my comrade, Jules Yedrinos."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE CROSS-AMERICA FLIGHT (Rec. October 16, 7.10 p.m.) Mow York, October 15. Major Spatz has begun his return flight to Sail Francisco. Captain Lowell Smith baa followed.—Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn.