Planes For Dominion

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 289, 27 February 1928, Page 1

Planes For Dominion

CAPT. ISITT’S PROPOSALS QUESTION OF COST “I have made up my mind as to th type of machine we require, but the question of cost will have to be considered—and that is for the decision of the Government.” 1 'T'HIS is what Captain L. M. Isitt said on his arrival in Auckland to-day after spending nearly two years in England investigating the possibilities of flying in this country, and taking refresher courses in airplane work at the aidromes in the Old Country, j Captain Isitt, naturally, was reluctant to discuss policy questions, and confessed that he had not yet completely formulated his proposals to 1 place before the Government. His j work at Home, however, was con- | cerned mainly about the operations of i seaplanes and flying-boats. Of the proposed airdrome at llobsonville—the possibilities of which lie specially investigated—he would say but little, preferring xo wait till he has consulted the officers of the Defence Department and discussed with them his 21 months’ work. On the way out, Captain Isitt spent some time in Canada, and he speaks highly of the state of efficiency to which flying has been raised in the Dominion. In ferial survey work Canada has reached a practical basis while other countries are still in the experimental stages, and in commercial flying, also, the Dominion has made wonderful strides, he said. One company which had six machines operating last year was commissioning 25 this year. In England, channel flying was developing rapidly, and the rebuilding of Croydon had made this the most up-to-date and efficient air port in the world. Captain Isitt deplored the loss of the two New Zealanders who attempted to fly the Tasman, and commented upon the performance of Bert Hinkler in his lone flight to Australia, which he described as a remarkable achievement.