AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1927, Page 3

AVIATION.

AIRMAN ARRIVES. iiv TKi.imiiArn —rni:ss assn., copykigiit SINGAPORE. June 29. The airman Van I.eerUaik has arrived.

VANCOUVER, June 30 Herd has commenced his Might.

FLY TO HONOLULU

SAX FRANCISCO. June 28.

The steamer Sonoma, wirelessed that she sighted the Maitiands Eokker plane 9'.0 miles from the starting point, not quite eight hours after its departure. Jt was then Hying low anil fast. It was apparently maintaining a speed of approximately ono hundred miles phour, which in view of the heavy load of petrol of 1019 gallons-, and the total gross weight of the plane (13.50(!lbs) is considered indicative that she will be

;ble to speed up later, and make the journey in twenty-two hours. There is a favourable following wind, which increases optimism as to the success cif the (light.

ANOTHER ATLANTIC FLIGHT. NEW YORK. June 29. The U.S.A. airman. Byrd, hopped off in a flight to Paris at 5.25 o’clock this morning. A message from Roosevelt Fie PI states: The monoplane “America” hopped off for France at 5.25 this morning, carrying Richard By id (commander). Bert Acosta and Go uge Nouville (pilots), also licit Balchcn (relief).

I" a final inf’erview. (Tuimnndcr Byrd said: “We are not going to have ideal weather conditions—not anything like Lindherg and Chamberlain had.”

FLIGHT AROUND AUSTRALIA SYDNEY. June 29

The aviators Mr C. Ulm anil Captain Kingsloril-Smith have arrived hero ■liter completing a Might around Australia in ten da vs.

NEW U.S.A. DIRIGIBLE. Washington. June 2s

I lie I .S.A. Navy Department will oider a new dirigible, mounting gun# and carrying live aeroplane.-. This ship, which is expected to lie the largest in the world, will he completed in 1928. It will have a cruising range of 12.500 statute miles at 50 knots, with maximum speed per hour of 70. The five. The content will be 6,500.00!) cubic leet. Helium will probably he used. The cost will he 500,000 dollars. flic following w ill represent Kanieri against Excelsior (-oniors) at Hokitika mi Saturday :—-Hagar. J’fahlerl (2). Moynilnm (2). Fleming, Campbell, McIntosh, Schist, AleCleary. Bannister, Whiley, Tainui. McKenzie, Dougherty, CJoor^o.

MAITLAND ARRIVES SAFELY. HONOLULU. June 29.

Maitland's plane landed in Wheeler F ielil here at 6.31 this morning.. 'I he plane made a perfect landing and taxied easily into a position directly in I rout of the reviewing stand. A battalion of troops, immediately .surrounded the airmen, who stepped out of the machine wearied, hut declaring they were feeling fine. The fliers missed the landing directions, which delayed their arrival somewhat and caused temporary anxiety among thousands who had gathered to welcome them. Although a group of escort planes had been searching over Motorika Channel for hours no one saw the plane until it was fifty feet from the ground. Maitland said: “ibis is my life’s desire. It has come true. 'I he Might was a marvellous success, although we had had weather at the start for a time. The ship behaved perfectly. We heard radio signals until last night, when mio of our receiving sets got out of commission.”

The fliers were greeted bv (} »••<— Herrington, and Army and Navy officials. Both men’s necks were hung with leis, and after a brief reception they were driven to the army headquarters, military and civilian police being hard pressed to keep the crowd hack.

NOT GOING TO AUSTRALIA. SINGAPORE. June 29. I an Leerhlack says he is not going to Australia.

BYRD’S PROGRESS. ST. JOHN’S (Newfoundland) June 29. Byrd’s aeroplane “America,” passed Fortune Bay at 5.35 this morning.

GOVERNOR-GENERAL IN AIR. f Or TAW A, June 29. The Governor-General and Lady Wilhngdon How from Ottawa to .Montreal to-day.

BYRD'S START. NEW AORK, June 29. Byrd (lew the America with a weight of seven tons, ,iho heaviest load any plane has ever lifted. He was accompanied by A. Costa. Units. Novi 110 and Balcben. The effort of a perfect take off, by careful weight balancing, prevented bis taking Engineer Kinkide as a filth passenger. His departure was witnessed by ten thousand persons, despite hits sudden decision to leave. Paris is definitely the place of arrival aimed at. Byrd was escorted tby nine planes. He frequently shifted liis course to test his navigation instrument and automatic wireless. The atmospheric conditions oi the Atlantic are lair. Shortly after 1.30 p.m., local time, the steamer Columbus radioed that it was in communication with the plane which was then off Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland, flying at SCOO feet and with the exception of a short period was in constant communication with vessels and the shore. •

PARIS. July 29. he Bourget, where Byrd is expected, is lit with, flares and the air passage from the roast is nicked out with lights. He is not expected before midnigjht on Thursday, hut Berlin rumours state that Byrd will attempt a distance record to Vienna, across south of Germany has aroused the intensest interest. Wireless stations are instructed to be alert.