AVIATION

Evening Star, Issue 22444, 15 September 1936, Page 9

AVIATION

RETURN ATLANTIC FLIGHT AMERICANS TAKE OFF Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, September 14. Richman and Merrill, took off from Southport at 3,5 a.m. Thousands cheered the flyers. Richman said they had already ordered a dinner of steak and chips in New York, and expected to eat it at 7 p.m.

BRITISH FLYING BOATS THE CALEDONIA UNDER TEST. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 12. The giant flying boat Caledonia, the second of 29 aircraft now being built for Imperial Airways for the Empire routes, was launched at Rochester and underwent a test flight, which is stated to have been satisfactory. The flying boat will be completed in time for the Caledonia to leave on Monday for Felixstowe to be tested for a certificate of airworthiness. It has rarely happened that such a big aeroplane has been ready for submission to Air Ministry tests within three days of its trial flight. The boat was handled easily on the water, and took off quickly,, and as a result of the flight the boat is regarded as being ready for full-load tests. Meanwhile, the flying boat Canopus, which is the first of the series, is nearly ready for acceptance tests by Imperial Airways. The Canopus is regarded by the builders and other experts as a model of what an efficient, luxurious flying boat should be. MEDITERRANEAN SERVICE WORKING UNDER GREATEST DIFFICULTIES. LONDON, September 14. The * Daily Herald’s ’ Brindisi correspondent says the failure of the Imperial Airways machine Satyras to arrive there from Alexandria on Sunday morning reveals a serious breakdown in Empire air communications. _ Army officers under orders to Palestine and India, and civil passengers for Australia and Africa are temporarily stranded. It is officially stated that the Satyras was forced to return to Alexandria owing to engine trouble. The Satyras is the only available seaplane capable of crossing the Mediterranean in all conditions. This section of the transmediterranean service has been operating under the greatest difficultles for over a year. Overhauls are done piecemeal owing to disorganisation, and it is impossible to lay up a machine without a total interruption of Empire services.