THE ATLANTIC FLIGHT

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10285, 21 May 1919, Page 4

THE ATLANTIC FLIGHT

"When Santos Dumont flew 300 yards at Tssy in a maohino heavier than air, the -world expeoted everything in the way of the mastery of the air. "When De Bleriot crossed the Channel lie gave a small instalment to the world gratefully wondering. Hawker added another hy his celebrated flight round the. British islands. The Wrights and Farmans stabilised the art, and the world hegan to construct machines. Then the war added an impetus which carried flying to an established success, enriching human records with feats of skill and daring and systematic work achieved. The- war over, th» flyers turned their attention to the harnessing of their fine qualities to the interests of peace, and we- have to-day the first crossing of the Atlantic. In this daring effort two champions of the two English-'speaking nations competed. The Americans flew the roundabout way by the Azores from Newfoundland; the Englishman, Hawker, of the second great pre-war instalment, flew direct. The Atlantic was conquered by both. But whether thu ocean has not also conquered the daring flyers is at present a doubtful point. In the agony of its suspense about their fate the world reflects first! on tho short time in which this development of the flying art has been achieved. Between 'Duraont's infant toddle, so to speak, of 300 yards, and the opening feats of the fighting airmen, there were only seven years; the war added a period of four years and four months; and six months after tho Armistice we have tho crossing of the Atlantic. In eleven years and ten months, practically twelve years, this groat development ha-s* been effected. It ranks high in human achievement; proclaiming, in unison with other great signs, that the nations attacked by Germany in 1914 were by no rnean* decadent. General Russell said this a* Hastings on Monday on the result of the war. and on that dap thu flying men corroborated him by flying over the Atlantic Ocean. What is in store for tho world after that swift development many will dream, but few can say with truth. Man has attained some mastery of the air. He rivals the boldest flights of the great birds, whereas twelve years, ago he was beaten by the most callow fledglings. To-daiy he has some mastery of the air. But the great bird* are far before him yet. He is faster than any of them incomparably, but they beat him in endurance. Tho condition of his safety is speed; some of them, the buzzard, the eagle, tho albatross, can not only soar with greater ease, but they have tho faculty of remaining stationary. The birds of prey can swoop in a fashion beyond his boldest "stunts," and tho albatross, after his broad flights, can rest, on trie wa.ves of the sea, to rise refreshed for further effort, this faculty giving him a radius of flight beyond tho dreams of tho flying men. Moreover, no bird ever faLls through failure of his sustaining power, except by action of his enemies or accident of some kind—but the roan-flyer goes in continual fear of engine troubles. Had Hawker possessed the albatross faculty, ho could have ridden the waves in safety till the arrival of the rescu ers. Wo get back to the original question, "What is in store?" 'When these differences are eliminated there will be no end to the possibilities. Until they are" extended flying will be greatly limited. When the elimination will be, if ever, no man can say.