AVIATION IN THE DOMINION

Hokitika Guardian, 1 October 1928, Page 8

AVIATION IN THE DOMINION

SIR. JOHN SALMOND’S VIEWS. TYPES OF MACHINE DISCUSSED. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 29. From all points of view, including those of civil and military aviation, the crossing of the Tasman Sea by the Southern Cross has great significance, said Air Marshal Sir John Salmond, last evening, when lie was asked if the flight had any significance from a military point of view. He said that the flight had shown what distances could be covered if proper preparation was made, with no risks taken and the business run scientifically. I Sir John was askqcl if, in his opinion, a commercial air route could be conducted across the Tasman. He answered that the flight of the Southern Cross was a wonderful and an outstanding feat, but he did not think that it would |be found that a commercial line would take it up quickly. A great deal of research and development were necessary before that could take place. . Many difficulties were encounted by the SoutTiern Cross, some of them quite hew even to airmen of the experience of the pilots of that machine. Flying boats are the most likely type to bo used, if such a service did come, he added, hut design changed so quickly at the present time that it was difficult to forecast. Sir John pointed out that his mission to New Zealand was not. connected .with civil flying. He would report to the Government on every :aspect of- military aviation, both in regard to aircraft itself and in regard to defensive measures.

DIFFICULTIES TO BE OVERCOME. 4 , ' 7 Sir John would not voice an opinion regarding' the suitability of New Zealand for flying,, saying that he had only been iri the country a few days. “There are difficulties,” he added, “but that only means that they are to bo overcome, in the same way as immense: difficulties in England were overcome.”

Questions were put to the Air Marshal' concerning future development of aircraft. He said that he thought that there was a tremendous future,for the helicopter type, although it was yet in if* •in 1 stages. .. Experiments were still heine carried, on with tailless machines and these gave promise of great possibilities. The plotted wing safety device bad . proved tube a great success. Diesel engined aircraft were still iii flie •experimental stages. In answer ‘to a question • concerning the dangers of living, Sir John said that civil - and military aviation could not be comnared. “In military aviation,' aerobatics must be practised,” lie said, “as these ape necessary for air fielding and. they are very far removed from the straight flying done in' com me real aviation. These aeroMHcs ->nd' flying in' formation, landing and taking off in formation, have attendant risks which are not necessary in civil,flying.; The risk of accident ■ of. civil flying to-day is exceptionally small. It is a good deal safer to fly than to walk across the street, that is. in civil machines.”

1 Regarding the air forces of the various dominions, Sir John said that, he had hot seen all of them and consequently could not form an opinion. He had not seen the -South African Air Force, nor the Canadian.

• DOMINION MACHINES. Dealing with the military machines now used in the Dominion, the Air Marshal said that the Gloster Grebe was a very good fighting machine. For fighting purposes, the Bristols were an obsolescent type, although they were good as instructional machines and there was still an Army Co-operation Squadron in England equipped with them. The Avros were still used in England as instructional machines. He said that he did not think that for purely fighting, the big, heavilyarmed machine would ever oust the small type, although it might he concurrent with that type. As far as airships wore concerned, an eye was being kept on them from a military point of view. This morning, Sir John will fly to Timarii with Captain J. L v Findlay in a DHSO machine. Later, he will go on to Dunedin by train, returning to Wellington on Monday. Caotan Findlav will fly back to Christchurch and will refuel, later going on to Blenheim in the DHSO in order to farewell the Tasman flyers. Sir John Salmond and his staff will sail for England via Canada on October 23.