FLIGHT OVER TASMAN

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 277, 13 February 1928, Page 1

FLIGHT OVER TASMAN

WHAT AORANGI PASSENGERS MISSED CAPTAIN MOODY’S ATTEMPT “Captain Moody will make the attempt over’ the Tasman toward the end of the year, and I do not think he will have the slightest difficulty in making a successful crossing.” Mr. Frank Goldberg, former Wellingtonian, and now a wellknown member of the New Zealand colony in Sydney, spoke enthusiastically regarding Captain Moody’s chances in achieving , this feat, Mr. Goldberg, who is the principal financial power behind the flight, arrived in Auckland on a business visit by the liner Aorangi. The monoplane which Captain Moody will use for the flight is of the Ryan type, in which Colonel Lindbergh so successfully essayed the Atlantic. “If Lindbergh can make these flights over such distances, I do not think that Captain Moody, who is a pilot with a splendid reputation, can fail,” he added.

There was not the slightest doubt, declared the visitor, that Captain Hood and Lieut. Moncrieff were not adequately prepared for their ill-fated attempt across the Tasman. Passengers on the Aorangt might quite easily have had the thrill of their lives during this trip. It had originally been arranged for the avitors to leave Sydney while the Aorangi was at sea. Arrangements had been made by Mr. Goldberg for three steamers in all to watch for. Captain Moody and his plane. It was eventually decided, however, that the flight should take place towards the end of the year. New Plymouth will be the landing-place of the Australian airman when the flight does take place. Meanwhile, severe tests are to be carried out, says Mr. Goldberg, and every possible safeguard for Captain Moody, and Mr. Howard Jolly, his companion, will be available.