FROM EAST TO WEST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 17 July 1929, Page 5

FROM EAST TO WEST

COSTES TO TRY AGAIN DESPITE DIFFICULT TASK PARIS, 16th July. The French airman L'ostes, who took off from Paris for America but returned after going some distance, expresses the opinion that an east to west transAtlantic flight is almost impossible. He describes a dramatic moment when he and his companion took counsel in midocean concerning their chances and decided U\ turn back, after fifteen hours' (lying. *■ They discovered that after leaving the coast the actual progress in the face of strong air currents was only three-quarters of that on which the flight had been calculated, and that while the fuel consumption increased, the speed decreased. Costes declares that in order to fly from Paris to New York a 'plane must have wind and weather conditions such as are almost exceptional, while the crossing may be achieved as a purely sporting attempt. It holds out little hope of ever being of practical use until floating islands afford a chance of refuelling. Despite this glopmy view, however, Costes announces his intention of making another attempt.