AIR FLYING.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 June 1920, Page 2

AIR FLYING.

liy Electric Telegraph—(Jopyrignt. FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA. LONDON, May 31. Hinekler, an Australian airman, has been ' debarred from competing jn the Ten Thousand prize in a Sopwith machine, on tile ground that his scheme involved too many risks, .fie has been connected with the Aero Works of Southampton some time and never abandoned bis intention of last yea« to attempt an Australian flight. He has now started on it as a sporting venture, hoping to be the first man to reach Australia in a single seated aeroplane. His baby Avro won , a sealed handicap in the Aerial Derby. It has a range of 200 miles and flies from 70 to 80 miles an hour. He is' using a Green engine of 35 horsepower. His most daring proposition is the attempt to cross large stretches of water in such a bus, but Hinekler is a bit of a sport and believes he will reach Australian eventually. He left Waddon aerodrome in excellent weather.

Hinekler has fitted extra petrol tanks to his baby Avro, and he hopes thus to obtain eight to ten hours’ continuous fliglit. He does not expect to get beyond Egypt at present owing to the prevalent unrest in Syria and Mesopotamia. Hinekler hoped to reach Rome the first day, going via Paris, Lyons and Genoa. If unable to flv over Syria, he will make a leisurely tour into Central Africa