AIRMEN ARE CONFIDENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 244, 5 January 1928, Page 9

AIRMEN ARE CONFIDENT

FLIGHT ACROSS THE TASMAN START ON SATURDAY OR SUNDAY By Cable. — Press Association. — Copyright. Received 10.30 a.m. SYDNEY, To-day. CAPTAIN IVAN KIGHT says the flight to New Zealand will not be started before Saturday at the earliest. It may be on Sunday night. He expressed no fears regarding the ability of the machine to make the distance.

TT is not yet decided who should make the flight. The member of the team to drop out will not be decided till the afternoon before the flight. He stated that the reason for landing at Bongbong on Tuesday was to ascertain their position. They we e flying strictly by compass reckoning in order to ascertain how the cc~~ipass would behave in the journey across the Tasman. They took no notice railway lines or other landmarks. When they saw a high mountain, they thought it was the Blue Mountains, but later found it to be Bowral. The only thing that went wrong on the flight was the wireless apparatus. The airmen express gratification at Mr. Bruce withdrawing his prohibition of the flight. They said: “We realise we are making the flight on our own responsibility, and without in any way involving either the Australian or New Zealand Governments.”—A. and N.Z.

They intend to take no risks. They will not hop off till all the conditions are absolutely in their favour, and anticipate leaving about 2 a.m. and landing at Wellington at 6 p.m. or thereabouts. They will head direct to Farewell Spit. The fliers almost certain wdll be Lieutenant Monerieff and Captain Hood. Both of these men speak most highly of Captain Right’s organisation, and the arrangements made with the Australian Government. Captain Right says everything has gone smoothly from the jump. The mechanics are now working at the machine, making it as perfect as possible for the epic flight.—A. and N.Z.