AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1930, Page 5

AVIATION

A REPORT DENIED

[United Press Association—lly Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.]

LONDON, .May 18

Amy Johnson’s father denies the report that she is flying to Australia to nicer her fiance, tie agrees with her decision not to attempt to break Hinkler’s record and adds, ‘Tier reaching Australia will be an achievement of which I shall be prouder than breaking records.”

AN EVIDENT GENIUS

LONDON, May 18,

Captnn H. .Matthews, who taught Miss Amy Johnson to fly, does not disguise his astonishment at her feat. He says: “ Her actual flying life prior to her flight to Australia, was ninetv-one hours. She quickly absorbed everything that it was possible to learn about forced landings. Our ground engineer took her over every phase of the work—the engines, maintenance, and rigging. She passed the examination with ease. Nobody in the Club was aware of her ambition. She carried out only four cross country flights. The longest of these was from London to Hull, a distance of. one hundred and fifty miles.”

A FORCED LANDING.

LACK OF PETROL.

(Received this rlnv at 10 a.m.) WELT.REVREDEN, May 19.

Amy Johnson landed safely at a sugar estate iu Tjomal, near Pelmnlongan, Midjava owing to luck of petrol. Tjomal is about two hundred miles east of Batavia.

After flying over Tjomal at four o’clock she reappeared above the town shortly after searching for a landing field, failing which she managed to land on a newly cleared piece of ground intended for a new managers house at a sugar estate, which was exactly large enough for landing and ascending. Miss Johnson was all right and her plane was undamaged. The aviatrix is staying the night as the guest of the sugar manager intending to proceed tomorrow morning to Samarang, Sorrabaya and possibly to Bima. , The manager saw Miss Johnson ahove the factory, after which she landed most smoothly and easily right in front of his office. Miss Johnson stepped out cheerfully in the best of physical condition, though somewhat tired. She stated having encountered a heavy storm above the Java sen. She intended, to make for Samarang because heavy adverse winds precluded her reaching Sorrabaya. The estate employees assisted her to take in gasolene and oil and prepare the machine ior to-morrow’s flight.