"SMITHY'S" FLIGHT

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 126, 24 November 1932, Page 15

"SMITHY'S" FLIGHT

THE SOUTHERN CR6SS

CANNOT VISIT WELLINGTON

KONGOTAI TOO SMALL

Though to an airman or such worldivide and varied experience and capacity for handling tough propositions nothing within reason is impossible, it seems very'unlikely that Sir Kingsford Smith will yisit "Wellington in the Southern Cross when he flies from Australia, for no ground is available for tho safe handling of so large a machine.

Kongotai, it appears, is ruled right out, for though there is an amply long run east and west—and tho length might be added to by taking in part of the recreation ground—an east-west runway is of little use when the prevailing wind directions are north and south. From 600 to 800 yards are required for tho take-off of the Southern Cross, and only about 350 yards are available north and south, and then the take off to. tho north would be dangerously complicated by the hangar and ivind direction indicator, and, beyond them, by power and tramway overhead gear and the Kongotai hill. Even,for the lightest machines "this take off to thb north is not popular with visiting pilots, more than one of whom has marvelled at tho success achieved in training beginners under such difficulties.

A possibility which was canvassed at tho time when the Southern Cross first flew the Tasman, a landing at Ireritham, also seems to be out of the question, for, given all • the permission and co-operation in the world, .the- central ground is rough for good landing and taking off. There is ' one other possibility, but so bare a possibility that it may also.be ruled out—Gear Island. From near the pipe bridge in a line directly dnto the prevailing wind there is a wonderful stretch" of ground, well over 1000 yards long, but it could not possibly be used until a deal of levelling work was carried out, though generally the ground is flat enough. Levelling work would not be the only hurdle, for the Hutt Biver Board was disinclined to meet the proposals made some time ago for the leasing of the island for combined sports and aviation purposes, and the present leases are held by the Shandon Golf Club and by a dairy farmer, across whose leased land this-very much desired runway would stretch. ■ ' '

EIGHT WEEKS IN NEW ZEALAND,

The present plans are that: Sir Kingsford Smith will arrive at New Plymouth on 14th January and will remain in New Zealand for about eight weeks, visiting about fourteen centres in the Southern Cross, and possibly calling at others in his second' machine-, a twoseater, which -may be either brought across from Australia by boat or made available to him by a New Zealand club or owner. It is expected that ho will visit ■Wellington about the third week in February, but not in the Southern Cross. This big monoplane is probably the most famous aeroplane in the world, it has an astounding record of long distance and ocean flying, the arctic (the Southern Cross was originally built for. Sir Hubert Wilkins), England-Australia, Australia-England, trans-Pacific,' trans-Tasnian, and transAtlantic (east, to west) so completing the grand circle of the world.

GREAT INTEREST IN THE VISIT,

■ Kirigsford Smith's first visit to New Zealand was undoubtedly responsible for the awakening of a great deal of interest 'in 'flying: 'certainly it'was responsible for the commencement of work on the formation of the Rougotai aerodrome, now widely, regarded as a disappointing city asset. Plans for his second visit have again given a considerable lift to interest in aviation and aerodrome facilities. Several centres have pushed on improvements much more rapidly than they would otherwise have • done, and generally there has been a lot of furbishing up, most of the work being carried out as relief work.

The Auckland landing runs have been lengthened and' smoothed, and an ingenious method was adopted to give a good surface in quick time. The rough growth was close mowed and the turf. was lifted and stacked, ami is being replaced as hummocks are filled into hollows; in a matter of weeks a fairly solid surface will- be available. At Dunedin various extensions have been carried out, and the effective area has .been increased by replacing overhead power lines near the aerodrome with underground mains. Christchureh is fortunate in possessing the splendid Wigram aerodrome. Big improvements have recently been made at New Plymouth and Vanganui. Hastings has a new landing ground, and Napier takes some little consolation from the troubles of February of last year when a thought is given to the splendid landing ground lifted from the bed of the old -lagoon.

■In the South Island, Blenheim has added considerably to the area- available formerly, and here also the Power Board has assisted by shifting power lines to remove dangers from the approach. Timaru has an ample aerodrome a mile or so south of the town. Even little Alexandra, in Central Otago, has a very large area available for machines of the type of the Southern Cross, or larger.

Wellington alone of the centres and larger towns is well behind in the provision of accommodation for aeroplanes of the heavier type which will be used for commercial work when it does tome to New Zealand. So far commercial .flying ,in this country—in Australia, too, for that matter —has not been generally very trappy, but the •Attitude of the public changes rapidly, and some day, the sooner, the better, hard times will give place to better times. Commercial aviation will unquestionably not stay down, but.-Wel-lington,' it would seem, will start well back from the scratch mark.