GILES’ FLIGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1927, Page 2

GILES’ FLIGHT

fAustrah.-.i & N.Z. Cable Associat .'a.)

THREE-CORXERED C OXTROVE RSY.

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 21

The Giles lliglit affair has now developed into a three-cornered controversy between the flier, Air Ifosewarne. hacker of the flight, and Major E. H. Bowie, Chief weather forecaster. In a statement in the Hearst newspapers, Captain Giles says the local weather bureau seems unwilling to give credit to a man who did his best, lie asks: •• How can Bowie comment upon the conditions above the clouds far out at sea. while sitting in his office in San Francisco. He relied solely on reports from ships, and thus was able to lorm not even the roughest opinion of conditions applicable to aircraft.” Captain Giles gives a detailed account ol his encounter with treacherous weather, including a terrific hump that caused the ’plane to drop five hundred leet into the clouds, a half loop that set the ’plane on its back, and the completion of the loop that righted the machine. The loop broke the centre bracing wire, and so strained the ’plane that lie was compelled to drop his petrol reserves. If he had been equipped with a life raft ho would have landed on the sea and taken to the raft.

Captain Giles describes the difficult flight back, and insists that no ship in the vicinity of his drop could truthfully report that the weather was clear. The Manoa correctly reported low hanging clouds. The Ventura was at least 150 miles further out at sea than the spot where he met the hump.

Attempts to reach Captain Giles, who arrived at San Francisco yesterday failed, he having left the hotel. Air Rosewarne is reported as saying that lie had received no demand from Captain Giles for an apology, and lie believes the latter will continue. Captain Giles is quoted ns saying that he would like Clarence Young, of the Bureau of Aeronautics to examine the ’plane, determine the damage, and say whethei repairs can he made at the Hearst ranch, also whether the damage was due to had weather, as Giles contends. The dispute has reached a stage where conflicting reports come hourly, ami it is difficult to determine what action will he taken. In some quarters it is believed that the flight may he abandoned.