AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 November 1927, Page 2

AVIATION.

FLIGHT TO INDIA

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.)

LONDON, Nov. 10,

Mclntosh and Hinkler, if all is well, should reach a point in India more than four thousand miles distant, early on Thursday morning, just before the petrol is exhausted. A few peoplo witnessed the busi-ness-like departure of the monoplane, Princess Xenia, from the ■ Upavon Aerodrome, Wiltshire. The machine disappeared at a height of apparently under a thousand feet.

All the newspapers pay a tribute to the magnitude of the undertaking. Alajor Turner, in the Daily Telegraph, says: “Alclntosh and Hinkler have set themselves to beat the 3,905 miles flown by Chamberlain and Levine. Two airmen better qualified physically and teniperainently could not be found in the world. Botli have risen to the top of their profession by sheer hard work. Mclntosh has flown more than half a million miles since the war and carried eight thousand passengers. He is nicknamed Hurricane Mac, in consequence of his flying in all weathers. Hinkler is of small stature but stout heart. There are few, if any, better test pilots in the country and no wiser head on any airmen.

GILES’ COATING FLY, SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 15. Giles announces that he will hop off at 9 o’clock in the morning of the 16th. He completed his final test today. The gasoline is at the field, ready to be loaded. Giles says he is not taking radio, because he will have no occasion to use it. The flight is merely a sporting proposition. He will rest three days at Honolulu, then take off for Upolu Island, Samoa, thence to Fiji, Brisbane, Sydney, and Wellington (New Zealand). SAN FRANCISCO. Nov. 10.

Giles announces the postponement of his flight for another twenty-four hours, owing to the unfavourable weather. / “WATTING FOR A FULL AfOON.” SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 15. The monoplane Southern Cross is here from Santa Alonica. The pilot, Kingsford Smith, said he would hop off for Australia at the first full moon in December.