AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1928, Page 3

AVIATION.

FOR HONOLULU. KINGS FORD SMITH STARTS. (United Service.) (Received this day at 8.50 a.m.) SAN FRANCISCO, -May 31. Kingsford Smith and his companions Ulm, Lyons and Warner, took oft' for Honolulu at 8.53 under, excellent weather conditions, with Smith at the controls. The giant monoplane started down the runway at 8.50 hut the centre motor went dead and Smith cut off the other two motors and the piano stopped. He then returned and started again, making an easy take-off) Tlie Southern Cross took the air after a five thousaiul-foot run. ft rose Irom the ground for a moment, settled down, and then rose again gracefully despite the seven-ton load carried. There were twelve hundred gallons of petrol in tho fuel tanks for the first 2,100-mile stage of the flight. The ’plane climbed to an altitude of a hundred feet and increased its speed and a moment later it vanished from sight into a. slight sun-pierced maze in the west. Tlie wings of the Southern Cross gleamed in the morning sun as the ship turned to the north-west and sped towards the open ocean past Golden Gate. The crowd had increased rapidly during the morning and approximately five thousafnl peoplo witnessed the departure. Additional police guards kept them from the runway. The airport fire wagon had proceeded to the five thousand foot mark on the runway, ready for possible emergency. Smith was given a copy of the Gov- < eminent weather report just before the start, detailing the conditions along the route..

START CONDITIONS GOOD. this day at 8.50 a.mA SAN FRANCISCO, May 31. Smith refused to state definitely whether he would he starting this morning when lie entered the cock-pit, but as the motors started he shouted “ Cheerio ” to his friends standing nearby, and began examining the charts on the instrument hoard. Other members of the crew entered the ’plane and took their positions shortly before Smith entered tho cockpit.

Tho United States Weather Bureau at San Francisco reported favourable conditions for the flight. Tho report said: “ Aeroplanes leaving this morning for Hawaiian Islands will have broken, low clouds, and moderate to fresh northerly winds, the average wind velocity being about sixteen miles an hour for the first four hundred miles, then light and variable winds and broken strata, cumulus clouds until tho vicinity of Hawaiian Islands is approached, where clear skies and moderate east winds, fifteen t otwenty miles an hour, will be encountered. No disturbances are charted over tile route between San Francisco and Hawaii.” Tho report concluded that the weather and wind conditions are favourable for a start.

PROGRESS’ OF FLIGHT. (Received this day at 10.15 a.m.l The Southern Cross passed over the city at 8.59. Thousands of people in the streets halted and gazed upward at the blue and silver plane. Tlie airmen will be guided during the first part of the flight by a radio beacon at Cressey Field, San Francisco. Then, midway between San Francisco and Hawaiian Islands they will pick up a radio beacon at Wheeler Field near Honolulu. The flight should take approximately twenty-five hours. It is estimated tho Southern Cross would make a speed of from ninety-live, to

one hundred miles an hour at the start, later increasing this slightly as the weight of the fuel load was cut down. The crew decided not to carry life rafts or other safety devices. Smith said: “They would only in- : crease the weight of the plane and we will not need them.” SAN FRANCISCO, .Ray 31. The Southern Cross was in almost constant • communication with radio stations at San Francisco during tho early stages of the flight to Honolulu, which commenced this morning. Messages told of passing Golden Gate and out over the vast expanse of tho Pacific, i

A message received shortly before ten in the morning from Smith said; “Everything going fine. Weather perfect. Motors working splendidly.” At.ll.l’ Smith radioed: “Flying altitude two thousand feet. All well.” The speed was not given hut it is estimated the ’plane was 190 miles or more from Oakland. The engines continue to function perfectly and the crew were in the host of spirits. SAN FRANCISCO, May 31. At 12.30 this afternoon, Southern Cross messages,indicated it had covered another three hundred miles. Tho ’plane was flying perfectly. SAN FRANCISCO, May 31. A hack-saw was put in the cockpit

of the .plane to he used in cutting away three heavy engines in case they ''"were forced to descend on the water. Smith was confident the plane would remain afloat for some hours with the engines cut away, and petrol tanks emptied hy emergency valves. Warner expected to make hourly reports of the position of the plane to land stations along tho California const and in Hawaii and to ships at sea. The plane carries three radio nets, one being supplied with power hy storage batteries, so that a. message for aid could bo sent out even if tlie motors were disabled.

! Nine vessels were reported early toM Jay along the route to Honolulu, namely:—Calawnii. Vigilant, Massa, Lubrico, Ilerborg, Wllhelmtna, President Meeki nicy, Malolo and the tug Meigh. All were advised to keep a constant look out for tho passage of the plane. Word of departure was flashed immediately to Honolulu where army officers stood ready to .begin working the radio beacons at Wheeler Feild.

Friends pressed around Smith and companions as they walked from the administrative building of the airport, and took their positions in tho tho plane. One of the women who talked with Smith was the mother 1 of Lieut.’ Eichwaklt, who perished in ! tho Hole flight. Mrs Eicliwaldt presented Smith with a silver ring which her son, fash ioned from a franc piece while serving with American forces in France.

POSITION OF PLANE. HONOLULU, May 31. The commercial wireless station

bore says it picked up a message irom -the Southern Cross which was signalling to tlie steamer A\ ilhclmina for position and bearings. Tlie agents state the Wilhelmina is 1777 miles from Honolulu. SAN FRANCISCO, May 31.

The Southern Cross is reported to . .p have lost the radio beacon at Crissey Field but is expected to pick it up soon again. It is said to be averaging approximately eighty-five miles hourly.

. SLIGHTLY OFF COURSE. SAN FRANCISCO, May 31. Early this afternoon the fliers reported they were slightly off their course, four hundred miles out. Conditions were favourable. They expect to remain at Hawaii for 36 limits one! thence depart for Sura,

later message. “SITTING ON TOP OF THE WORLD.” (Received this day at. 1.30 p.m.> SAX FRANCISCO. -May 31. Latest messages from the ’plane indicate it is flying at 2,500 feet, averaging eighty miles an hour, dm relieved Smith twice briefly and will soon take the first long shift at the controls. The afternoon report, is: “Cloudy with clear spots. A few clouds along the water don’t allow us to see very far ahead.” At 1.30 the airmen reported they were communicating with s.s. M ilhelminn. Their position at noon was 32.35 north longtitude, 132.03 west (six hundred miles). Later Him reported: “Visibility excellent under the clouds. Kingsford Smith and I feel like we are sitting on top Qf till fOl'Mr