TASMAN FLIGHT

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 116, 14 February 1928, Page 8

TASMAN FLIGHT

ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO BE MADE Dominion Special- Service Auckland, February 13. “Had it not been for the attitude adopted by the authorities in Australia the flight would have been made today,” said Mr. F. Goldberg, the promoter of Captain Moody’s Tasman Sea flight, when questioned on board the Aorangi last, evening. Mr. Goldberg, who is well known in business advertising circles in New Zealand and Australia, expressed the opinion that there was not the slightest doubt in the minds of those most concerned that the flight could have been undertaken in a Ryan monoplane. “In spite of official opposition,” 'Mr. Goldberg continued, “we had arranged for Captain Moody and Mr. Jolly to fly the machine for 40 or 50 hours on end, and then hop across Australia just to show them what could be done before attempting to cross the Tasman to New Plymouth. Why, Captain Moodv has already flown 2600 miles without a mishap, and he is.always flvinc. That in itself is as good a guarantee as one could get against disaster. The machine was fully equipped with an up-to-date wireless, directional finders, and had three compasses. There was some talk about putting floats on the ’plane, but such a suggestion is ridiculous. If they were attached it would mean that less petrol would have to be carried.- Lindbergh flew a Ryan monoplane 3600 miles across the Atlantic. Surely our men could fly the same machine 1200 miles across the Tasman.” Mr.. Goldberg intimated that between now and the end of the year every effort would be made to. ffiake the monoplane suitable, according, to the needs of the Australian officials. It was getting too late in the season now to make the flight, but it would certainly be attempted at the end of this year,’ floats or no floats, tl might mean that a new ’plane of a sea type would make its appearance.