DOMINION FLYING

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 514, 17 November 1928, Page 1

DOMINION FLYING

AMPHIBIANS NECESSARY COMMANDER BYRD’S VIEWS (Special to THE SUN J WELLINGTON, Friday. A multi-motored amphibian plane is, in the opinion of Commander R. E. Byrd, leader of the Antarctic expedition, the best type for commercial usin the Dominion. “In this country where there ar« many mountains, frequent winds arid few landing fields, even a threemotored airplane would be subjected at times to danger, in the event of .* forced landing,” said Commander Byrd. “A large amphibian, which mav land either on land or water, seems t«» me the natural type of machine to use. The twin or multi-motored amphibian. which could land safely on any hike or harbour, would furnish comparatively safe transport. It w possible at present to find a machin* of this type which will fly on one oi' its motors if the others are cut out. “Safety is an absolute essential to commercial flying, and atfilane which does not offer the greatest factor of safety is a detriment rather than an aid to aviation. “There are many good types of small sports planes, and I should say that a reliable motor and sturdy construction are the two great essentials whether a monoplane or biplane is used. “There should be a good school furamateur pilots in the Dominion, so that adequate training might be assured. Ten hours in the air does not make . pilot. Every new pilot should haw 40 hours if instruction, and after few hundred hours more in the air he ' may become really proficient.”