AIR SERVICE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 810, 2 November 1929, Page 34

AIR SERVICE

Ulm Plans for Sydney-Brisbane Run FAST TRAVEL IN AUSTRALIA “You can say it is highly improbable that ‘Smithy’ and I will attempt to fly the Atlantic,” said Flight-Lieut. C. T. P. Ulm recently on his arrival at Sydney by the Otranto. Ulm outlined the plans of his company, Australian National Airways, for the proposed airplane services between Sydney and Brisbane, and Brisbane and Melbourne. "Four planes have been purchased,” he said. “They are almost identical with the Southern Cross, but there are only English parts in them. The engines are entirely British, and are 100 h.p. more than those of the Southern Cross. “Two English pilots and three engineers are on their way to Australia, but we intend engaging three Australian pilots as well. “It will be possible to take 14 passengers on short flights and 10 on the longer trips, and the cost for the trip to Brisbane will be about £9 single. The time for the journey will be about six and a-half hours. The first trip will be made definitely by January 1, and by that time ‘Smithy’ and myself will have made thorough tests and trials of the route. “The machines are the last word in comfort for air travel, and after the Sydney to Brisbane run is established we will be running from the Northern capital to Melbourne. The programme will probably be:—Leave Brisbane in the morning, arrive Sydney 3 p.m., leave again at 7, reaching Melbourne at midnight, a total of about 16£ hours. We have made arrangements for an adequate lighting system.” Ulm added that the Southern Cross was at present at Amsterdam, being reconditioned, and until the arrival of Kingsford Smith on November 9 he was not certain whether the famous machine would be brought back to Australia.