SAFE AT LAST

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10290, 27 May 1919, Page 4

SAFE AT LAST

The rescue of the flyers who have been missing for some days has sent a thrill of pleasure throughout the world. That they had failed in their daring task was beyond doubt. That they would over be seen again depended on a single chance—tne chance of being picked up ay a vessel not provided witn wireless apparatus. ’'lt you have engine trouble in a fliglit over tho land,” said a hign Hying authority, in discussing the chances of this flight of Hawker aud his companion, “you have only to come down to be sate. But if you break clown in mid-Atlantic, your luck’s out." They came down almost in midAtlantic, and their luck took them alongside the s.s. Marie, which picked them up. Their lives hung on a single thread, as it, were, and the thread proved staunch’. Never was a happier instance of “All’s well that ends well.” Nevertheless, the failure of the Atlantic crossing is emphasised. What caused it will be known in due course, no doubt. But whatever the explanation may be it will scarcely disturb the conclusion of the above-quoted authority that until tho art of aviation makes further progress, it will bo advisable to lend the flyers over the ocean by . providing stopping-places. Tho difficulty is la find room for the petrol supply. We know, of course, that enough petrol can bo carried for a flight across the Atlantic, under favourable circumstances. What we do not know Is tifle margin required over and above for unfavourable circumstances. And there is an uncomfortable feeling that for the petrol required to cope with abnormal circumstances it is not nossiblo to find room. With this fact in mind, it is impossible to regard the attempt to cross direct other than as a plucky but most dangerous gamble, not likely to serve any useful purpose, as only a spoil of very fine, favourable weather —a thing not to be depended upon at any time —could 1 avo brought success. Why not vork up .-the art of long flying over the land, for which purpose there are plenty of spaces available F In this case it is perhaps significant that tho distances flown by Hawker, who came down at sea, and the American, who reached the Azores, wore about the same, the islands lying about 800 miles south of the point whore Hawker found the Marie. It is an argument in favour of tho longer and safer route.