AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 December 1927, Page 2

AVIATION.

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association. SMITH’S FLY. SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 20. Intense interest in the flight was shown by the number of telephone calls received at Milk-field day and night. Operators were kept busy all the time the plane was in the air. Smith before landing swooped, over the field twice “to keep the hoys awake.” As dawn appeared, he could be seen hanging over the fog, that reached up to over 1000 feet. The plane seemed to he barely moving. Messages said the fliers were conserving every ounce of petrol as the motors were turning less than fourteen hundred revolutions per minute. For a long time speculalions were rife as to the time they would alight, it was hoped the fliers lmd overkilled the 170 gallon tank under the seat, but when they landed they had less than five gallons left. The motors of thfe plane functioned perfectly. Pond said: “The motors ■ missed only a few times. That wits to he expected. Ale learned n lot that ( will he advantageous to us ill the next attempt.’’ Before landing they piloted the plane low over the administration building at Miils-fieiti aiid flashed a signal light; The field was cleared immediately, itt less titan a minute, aiid inter tile plane lioseii down through the haze: rolled on to tiie runway aiid soon taxied back to the hangar. Mechanics swarmed over tile eitft aiid commenced inspections and repair work. Tiie destination of the fliers when taken to rest was ilot announced, to prevent disturbance. They did not get hungry oil the flight as sour milk aiid mouldy sandwiches were found in the cockpit. JTlie fliers took two bottles of coffee, one of which was found broken in the plane. Sunday night, when the effect of constant pulsation was most keen a.mi proved most trying, the fliers explained that after a few hours the senses became dulled and they plodded along.