Southern Cross to Take the Air Again

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 537, 14 December 1928, Page 1

Southern Cross to Take the Air Again

OPERATOR IN AUCKLAND WAITING FOR CABLE Mr. T. H. Me William, radio operator of the Southern Cross, is aaain in Auckland. He is at present on holiday, and is waiting for a cable from Kingsford Smith in reference to a further flight. lie is staying at the Royal Motel, but expects to return to Australia shortly tj link up with his companions of the Southern Cross. He informed a Sun representative that Kingsford Smith a rti Ulm had decided to go to America aud possibly to England. It would also be probable that the Southern c’ross would be flown from Honolulu 10 America, and in that event he would be going as wireless operator and Mr. 11. A. Litchfield as navigator. He would be informed by cable as soon as anything had been delinitely decided. Speaking of the return trip to Australia, Mr. McWilliam said it was very heavy going and they were all •ured out when at last they effected a landing. They were accorded a great reception. He was stone deaf from the noise of the engines and in the confusion got separated from his companions and went off to town not knowing that he was to have spoken over the wireless. In future flights he thought a big flying boat which could nde out a.storm would be necessary. “I have great confidence in the machine, however, and great confidence in Kingsford Smith. I am sure that with him at the helm the Southern Cross would take us anywhere.” Referring to the value of wireless for navigation purposes, Air. McWilliam said that there was a great future in store for it. In America they flew almost entirely by the beam system. Three beacons stationed at different points sent out a letter each. One station would send out A, the centre one T and tl|> other X. By this means if the operator found he was getting off T and ,on to A, the pilot would know he was getting off the centre of thte course. As the stations became more powerful the navigator’s task would become very simple. This would have bren of great assistance to them on their return flight to Australia. On their flight from Oakland to Honolulu, sai& Mr. McWilliam, Smith and Ulm relied u lot on the beam. Mr. McWilliam did not know how long he would be staying in New Zealand. Everything depended on their leader’s plans. As soon as he heard he would be off again to rejoin the crew of the Southern Cross.