Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 23 October 1928, Page 4

Another foolhardy attempt has been made with an absence apparently of serious preparation to fly the Atlantic. That quality of courage which takes such risks is not to be encouraged, and we can only marvel at this j "with all the examples of the past there havebeen to warn such stupidly venturesome folk of the personal risk they take. .Another venture which caused stir and alarm for a period was the flight df the Zeppelin across the Atlantic. However, the safe arrival of the German airship in America was a great relief to those immediately concerned after the long delay and the inexplicable silence that marked the later stages of the flight. But the success of this trans-oceanic voyage does not go far toward establishing the case for the Zeppelin or any other lighter than air machine. This airship had to cover 5,600 miles to reach its destination, and this, of course, is far more than the direct distance across the Atlantic along the ordinary steamer routes. Moreover, the time occupied—four days sixteen hours approximately—does not compute vetj favourably with the traits-Atlantic record by steam. Even in Germany, where naturally the triumph of the Zeppelin is regarded as a great national achievement, the verdict of the experts is not yet decisive. So far as this voyage is concerned, it suggests to them that “ the risks are too great and airships are still too susceptible to weather conditions ” to justify wholehearted support of the airship against the aeroplane. However, in England the position is regarded more hopefully. Commander Burney (says an exchange) expects airships in the neui future to fly 100 miles an hour, as against the Zeppelin’s 65 miles, and to cross the Atlantic in from two to two and a half days. If the .two British airships now nearing completion fulfil these anticipations a great, impetus will certainly he given to transoceanic travel in liglier-than-aii machines. But we are still a long way from that Utopian age already dreamed of by certain enthusiasts in aviation when all other forms oi transport are to he superseded by flying oi floating above the earth at great speed, in perfect comfort and absolute safety.