FLYING AND FATALITIES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 60, 4 December 1920, Page 11

FLYING AND FATALITIES

Sir,—lt is possible that that lamentfble' aviation disaster at New Plymouth as not passed as yet from tho publio mind. Ona would wish to criticise, not the pilot, that is futilo evon if possible, but the inane and incorrect remarks that have been circulated concerning it. It must be admitted that aviation in the Dominion has received a serious setback. In "England, up till March 31. 1920, 67,940 passengers had been carried with the killing of only one. May 1 is the commencement of summer, and doubtless another 50,000, if not more, have been carried einco then, resulting in'the killing of four passengers in ono accident.

New Zealand has been unfortunate in receiving this blow before flying' has become part of our everyday Ife. Comparatvely few have seen a machine at close. quarters, let alone realise its usefulness and reliability.

It was reported in the Press that the distinguished aviator. Sir Keith Smith, lad said of the accident:. "It is ono of tho dangers of landing." One supposes that he was referring to tho gliding turn during which the loss of control occurred. If ono was compelled to do a gliding turn'near the ground before landing the abovo statement would be correct. But it is no more necessary \q do a gliding turn immediatclv boforo landing that it is to do n "split air" climbing turn when "taking oft."' There is no need for the. uninitiated to condemn Captain llussell <■. »for making that turn, aa they_can rest assured that the majority of 'uilofa execute ■ a glidiui; turn or turns before landing very frequently. Ona only wishes _to. demonstrate that the turning into wind of7the niaphino need not bo carried out at a dangerous altitude, i.e.,. near ) the ground. Loss of <;qntroT Tn the., air means' nothing to afarm anyonj so 1 Jong as there is sufficient height in' r whkjj to Tegain control. Whilst on the suoject one would llku to say that no evolution in flying calls for greater admiration' than ,a faultless landing off a'graceful gliding turn, particularly when performed in an Avro. Accidents to experienced pilots aro mora often than not due .to .over-conn-(l«nce in themselves, or over-estimntiqn of the strength and manoeuvrability; rif th» machine they are flying. . Again, the findings. of tho courts of. •inauiry in suoh cases as the above aro published under loadings of largo type. - WitE aero disasters the chance statements of interested parties are printed as fact, with their meaning as often as not misconstrued, and no inquiry of competent judges is held. 1 This matter migßt be taken up by our Air Couneil- when they do act.

The' logical deductions from aero fatalities might at-least allowed the Flime publicity as the sequels,to muTder and divorce cases. Which is* of f he rreater importance?—! am,.etc.,' H. S. MONTGOMERY.

Wanganui. ' {This letter has been slightly ->onilensed owing to the pressure on our space."]