31 HOUES FKOM AUCKLAND

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 138, 9 December 1930, Page 11

31 HOUES FKOM AUCKLAND

WIRELESS COMMUNICATION

After a non-stop flight from Auckland, a I'airey Itt.lT aeroplane belonging to the Hobsonvillc Aerodrome, arrived over AVelliugtou at 12.23 p.m. today, and after circling over tho city continued its journey to Blenheim, en route to Christchurch. Tho aeroplane, which was piloted by Squadron-Leader L. M. Isitt, made a record trip from Auckland, tho journey taking only 31 hours. Squadron-Leader Isitt was accompanied on the trip by Mr. Gibbs, of Christchurch, who acted as wireless operator. Throughout the flight Wing-Commandor Grant-Dalton (Director of Air Services) was in constant touch with the aeroplane by means of wireless messages sent out by Mr. Gibbs. THE PLIGHT DESCRIBED. The following is the description .of tho flight, as given in the wireless messages: — Tho 'plane left the Hobsonvillo aerodrome at 9.5 a.m., its speed being 90 knots. At 9.25 it was flying over the Waikato Heads, where the visibility was poor. At 9.44 Raglan was seen from a height of 1000 feet, and ten minutes later the 'piano was flying over Genet Island at a height of 2000 feet. The coast-line was followed for some distance, and at 10.10 a.m. the Mokau Biver, bordering the Taranaki and Auckland Provinces, was sighted. At 10.15 a.m. the 'plane passed over White Cliffs. New Plymouth was sighted at 10.3S a.m., and lin l.n that timo the journey from Auckland had occupied only one hour and a h.-iir. After/circling over New Plymouth tho 'plane continued its flight, and at 11.5 a.m. it passed over Inglewood. The visibility was still poor, but bjr tho time Wanganui was sighted tlio conditions had improved. After eircHng over Wanganui, which was reached at 11.30 a.m., the machine proceeded, and by midday had passed over Levin. Otaki was reached at 12.5 p.m., and at 12.18 p.m. Wellington was sighted. The 'plane passed over Wellington at 12.23 p.m., and arrived at Blenheim, where a stop was made for lunch, at about 12.55 p.m. This was the first stop. The machine left Blenheim again at 2 p.m. for Chris tehurch. Throughout the trip the aeroplane averaged a flying speed of about 110 miles an hour.