ENORMITY OF THE TASK.

Shannon News, 8 September 1925, Page 2

ENORMITY OF THE TASK.

ENLIGHTENING INFORMATION. SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 4. Tlie enormity of the task facing the naval aviation service of America iu its efforts to complete a non-stop flight of more than 2000 miles with three sou-planes from Sun Francisco to Hawaii, the longest single transoceanic Imp attempted thus far, 'wah made manifest ik orders issued from the U.S.S. .Langley, flagship of Cap tain Stanford E. Moses, U.S.N., commander aircraft squadrons, United States battle fleet, who has been de signated us commander, flight project, to have complete charge of the 1 endeavour. These details are as follow: The flight will follow a Mercato ■ course from San 'Francisco direct, to Kahului, island of Maui, and thence northward to Honolulu, without stop Commander John Rodgers, U.S.N.. one of the senior aviators Jn UnAmerican Navy, lias been designated as flight unit comm under and will fly one of the navy new PN-9 planes, a product of the bureau of aeronautics factory at Philadelphia, * All three planes are painted alum inum and grey, with yellow upper wings and horizontal tail surlaees except that the words “U.S. Navy” are painted in block letters of maximum size on either side of the fuselage. PLANES TO BE MARKED. Commander Rodgers’ plane will distinguished by a white bow. Tilt Boeing plane, constructed by the Boeing Aircraft Corporation, Seattle, and which will be in charge of Lieut. Commander James 11. Strong, has been designated PB-l. and will be ah gray. The second PN-'J plane, piloted by Lieut. A. P. Snody, will he distinguished by a white tail. Extreme care ,is being taken in the arrangements for the take-off. The commandant of the naval district front which the start is to he made will be requested to keep the area clear of all obstructions. The aircraft tender Gannett wifi stand by ready to follow the planes to sea and prepared for salvage work in the event of accident to any ont of the planes in the difficulties that will be encountered in attaining suffl cient altitude with planes overloaded with necessary fuel. TO FLY AT 1000 FEET. Once at sea the ships will fly at a normal ceiling of 1000 feet or less and 'a speed of 70 aerial knots or approximately 82 miles an hour. Commander Rodgers will prescribe the details of taking-off and the use oi other aircraft as escort. The planes at all times will keep within visual signalling distance of each other. In case ba'd weather renders it impracticable to keep to gether each plane will proceed independently, endeavouring to maintain touch with other planes by radio. Along the surface of the ocean will be stationed 11 vessels, known as plane guard ships.