A PLUCKY AIRMAN

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10605, 2 June 1920, Page 5

A PLUCKY AIRMAN

FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA SPORTING VENTURE ON SINGLE » SKATER. By Telegraph—Press Assr..—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received June 1, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 31. Pilot Hinckler left Croydon on a Baby Avro, at 4.50 this morning, in an attempt to fly to Australia. Hinckler is an Australian. He wao debarred from competing in 1919 for the £IO,OOO prize, ill a Sonwith machine, on the ground that his scheme involved; too many rinks. Ho baa been connected with the Avro works at Southampton for some time, and has never abandoned his intention to attempt, the Australian flight. He has now started, as a rporting venture, hoping to be the first man to reach Australia in a single-seatoi aeroplane. The Baby Avro won the sealed handicap in the Aerial Derby. It has a range of 200 miles, and flies 78 miles, an hour, using a Green engine of 35 h.p. It is a most daring proposition to attempt to large stretches of water in 6iich a " 'bus," but Hinckloi is a bit of a sport and believes h« will reach Australia eventually. He left the Waddon aerodrome in excellent weather.

Hinckler has fitted extra petrol tanks to his Baby Avro, and hopes thus to obtain an eight to ten hours' continuous flight. He does not expect to get beyond Egypt at present, owing to the prevalent unrest in Syria iaiiid Mesopotamia!. ' Hinckler hoped" to reach Rome on the first day, going via Paris, Lyons and Genoa. If unable to fly over Syria he will make a leisurely tour in Central Africa.

ROME TO TQKIO FLIGHT.

TWO ITALIANS COMPLETE THE JOURNEY.

(Received June 1, 10.5 p.m.) TOKIO, May 31

Musiero and Ferrari, tho Italian avialtora. •oomnlet.ed; tho flight from Home, arriving at Tokio to-day.