Flying the Atlantic in Ease and Safety

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 45, 16 May 1927, Page 1

Flying the Atlantic in Ease and Safety

GIANT MACHINES PLANNED

AIR ADVENTURERS UNDAUNTED

FVENTORS’ dreams of flying the Atlantic in perfect ease and safety may be realised this year Underterred by the fate which appears to have befallen the two French machines, airmen in England and on the Continent are planning or are on the eve of new long-distance flights. ‘ “ Two members of the Royal Air Force, one a New Zealander, are about to depart on a non-stop flight to Karachi. An American millionaire has ordered a giant Fokker, with kitchen and sleeping accommodation, in which he will attempt to fly the Atlantic. A French professor has designed a giant seaplane which he claims will make Atlantic flying safe.

By Cable. —Press Association.—Copyright LONDON, Sunday. Flight-Lieutenant C. R. Carr, of New Zealand, and Flight-Lieutenant Gillman, both of the Royal Air Force, announce that they will start to-mor-row on the greatest non-stop flight ever attempted—namely, from England to Karachi. The distance is 4,000 miles. The aviation expert of the “Daily Telegraph" says it has been suggested that this is a costly way of demonstrating the practicability of long-dis-tance flights with heavy loads, but it is the only satisfactory way. Theories must be tested. For example, there will be an enormous difference in the load when most of the fuel has been consumed. The actual behaviour of the machine as its weight is lessened will be of great scientific value. There is a great risk in starting with such a load, says the writer, but so far as human foresight can compass it, this has been overcome. The worst risk is that of engine failure early in the flight. If that unhappily

should occur parachute landings will be inevitable. After eight hours in flight the machine will be sufficiently lightened to land safely, but one of the greatest difficulties will be landing when the tanks are empty. Britain cannot be still in face of the great aviation deeds of other nations. Flight-Lieutenants Carr and Oillman will leave Cranwell, Lincolnshire, on their non-stop flight: in a 7,000 h.p. airplane, which will be fitted to carry over 1 000 gallons of petrol. It will be capable, it is said, of remaining in the air for 4S hours and of travelling at a minimum speed of 100 miles an hour. • P res © n t non-stop distance record Is 3,340 miles, which was set up in October by two Frenchmen, who flew from Paris to Jack, in Persia, in 32 hours. A German aviator, Schnabele, who previously flew for 16 hours at Dessau, set up a new record on March 23. He flew for 22 hours, continuously and covered 1,690 miles while in the air. Carr has been flying since 1916. He served with distinction in the war. He also participated as an aviator in the Shackleton Antarctic expedition. TEN ENGINES GIANT SEAPLANE DESIGNED TO CARRY 130 PASSENGERS By Cable. —Press Association.—Copyright Reed. 10.30 a.m. BERLIN, Sunday. Professor Runpler claims to have evolved a giant seaplane which will make the trans-Atlantic flight a safe commercial proposition. It will be equipped with ten engines, each ot 1,000 horse-power, will take a crew of 35, and will carry 130 passengers.— A. and N.Z. KITCHEN AND SLEEPERS AMERICAN MILLIONAIRE’S PLAN BIG FOKKER ORDERED By Cable. —Press Association.—Copyright Reed. 10.30 a.m. COPENHAGEN, Sun. Van Leerblack, the millionaire American publisher, is planning a trans-Atlantic flight on a grand scale. He has ordered a three-engined Fokker, with kitchen and sleeping cabin. The pilot will be a Dutchman named Geiksenorder. —A. and N.Z. MORE FRENCHMEN TO DARE THE ATLANTIC D’OISY TO FLY TO INDO CHINA By Cable—Press Association. —Copyright Reed. 9.15 a.m. PARIS, Sunday. The aviators, Tarascon and Nocques will attempt a trans-Atlantic flight in June. Captain D’Oisy expects to leave on Tuesday on a non-stop flight to India and thence Indo-China. —A. and N.Z.