INAUGURAL FLIGHT TODAY

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 183, 30 April 1940, Page 8

INAUGURAL FLIGHT TODAY

Tasman Air Service

PASSENGERS AND MAIL Early Morning Departure From Auckland (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, April 29. Bringing to a successful conclusion the intergovernmental negotiations that began in 1934, Tasman Empire Airways' flying-boat Aotcaroa will leave Auckland for Sydney at 6 o’clock tomorrow morning on the first regular transtasman commercial flight. In command will be Captain J. W. Burgess, who will be accompanied by a crew of six and nine passengers. After a short ceremony at Mechanics Bay air base, at which Hie Minister of Defence and Postmaster-Genera!. Mr. Jones, will cut a ribbon hung across the gangway, the tlying-boat will take the air on its 1300-mile journey to Svdney. Flying at a probable height of 5000 ft., it will take in the vicinity of SI hours for the trip, according to an estimate by Captain Burgess tonight. Mr. Jones dew from 'Wellington to Auckland today to take part in the ceremony, and the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom, Sir Harry Batterbee, will also be present.

Approximately 41.000 letters, weighing 0501 b., will be carried by the Aotearoa. For Australia ‘.here will be 20.000, for the East, including Egypt, there will be 5000, and for the United Kingdom there will be about 16.000. The mail includes 1258 registered articles.

The passengers inelude Captain E. C. Johnston, Melbourne, Assistant-Dir-ector of Civil Aviation in Australia, Mr. A. E. Rudder, representative for Australia and New Zealand of the British Overseas Airways Corporation, and deputy-chairman of Qantas Empire Airways. Mr. IV. Hudson Fysh. manag-ing-director of Qantas Empire Airways. and Mr. C. G. White, Wellington, a director of the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand, Ltd. Messrs. Rudder,’Fysh, and White are all directors of Tasman Empire Airways. Other passengers will be Messrs. Harvey Turner, T. C. Webster, and 11. O. Browne, Miss Joan Hewitt and Miss I’. Dromgool. all of Auckland. , The Aotearoa is expected to return to Auckland on Thursday. Passengers' Comfort. Every possible comfort and convenience will be provided for the passengers in the tlying-boat. The machine is 'internally heated, and monogrammed rugs ami foot-muffs are given io passengers, but more than Hint, is require;! on a Journey that may occupy between eight' and I'l hours. The aim of the Hight steward and purser, Mr. R. A. Phillips, is to make the meals served on il/e company's machines equal in quality to those for which Imperial Airways is noted on its cross-Cliannel service.

Because of Hie early hour of departure, passengers will probably have the unusual experience of taking off along a fiare-path. From their comfortable chairs they will see streamers of flame shooting from the exhausts of Hie four Perseus engines as the throttles are opened, and through a Hurry of foam they will see tlie first Hare slip by. The flares will flash by the windows with increasing speed till in half a minute or Jess the Aotearoa will leave the water.

Passengers will have a last glimpse of Auckland picked out in thousands of electric lights. The west coast beaches will be faintly seen through the early morning light as tlie big llying-boat heads out over tlie Tasman, and cabin lights will still be burning.

With sunrise before seven o'clock passengers will have early-morning tea ol' coffee served to them, and shortly before eight o’clock the Hight steward will set Hie individual tables in the passenger cabins. For breakfast be will serve tomato juice, fresh fruit, grapefruit, cereals and cream, scrambled eggs,' grilled tomatoes, grilled pork sausages, cold meats, toast, rolls, and tea, coffee or cocoa. Luncheon Menu. Large vacuum Husks will keep the food piping hot. for 12 hours or more, as passengers will find at morning-tea time, .11 o'clock, and again when lunch is served at 1 p.m. The menu for luncheon includes oysters on shell cream of tomato soup, cold turkey, hamveal and ham pie and roast beef served with russian salad, fresh fruit salad and cream, cheese, and tea or coffee. Experience has shown that airways passengers eat heartily, and generous supplies of food are carried. The altitude at which Hie Hight is made will depend on tiie weather, but tiie westward crossing is usually completed at heights ranging from 5000 ft, downward. Because of tiie monotony of tiie ocean crossing, witli nothing but sky and sea and cloud as far as a vague blue horizon, the steward carries in ills neat pantry a miscellaneous collection of goods, including playing cards, deck quoits, chess and draughts sets, as well as writing materials and even a selection of cottons, needles and pins for women who may wish to do some high-altitude sewing. He also carries stocks of cigarettes, for there is a smoking cabin aft. and he can offer an impressive wine-list.