May Fly Tasman

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 848, 17 December 1929, Page 1

May Fly Tasman

VISITING AVIATOR’S PLANS Distinguished Record of Service A PLIGHT across the Tasman Sea front New Zealand to Australia is the present ambition of Captain. G, E. Randall, D.P.C., a distinguished English airman who arrived at Auckland on the Marama this morning. For the last few months Captain Randall has been visiting various parts of Australia, and at Fremantle he organised Aerial Taxis and Seaplanes, Limited. He is eager to explore the possibilities of civil aviation in New Zealand.

“I am satisfied that flights from New Zealand to Australia are practicable,” Captain Randall told The Sun. “The principal problem is that of navigation. On long distance flights a pilot must have a good navigator, for the pilot is just like a quartermaster who holds the wheel while the navigator does his job.

“The main difficulty to contend with during the flight appears to be those variable winds which are met with at high altitudes. “As to the type of machine, I am a grea.t believer in the de Havilland, and would use one fitted with floats. I do not think that quite as big a machine as the Southern Cross is necessary.” SEVENTY-ONE PATROLS An Oxford man, Captain Randall, alert, well-built and an officer of the typically English type, joined the Royal Air Force in 1915 at an extremely youthful age and remained in the service until 1924. flying in Afghanistan after the close of hostilities in France. Subsequently he has engaged in civil flying in various parts of the world. In 1918 while still in France he was awarded the Distinguished

Flying Cross for "leadtag 71 offensive air patrols and for engaging a superior number of enemy machines.” At the same time, for good work in co-operating with the Belgian Army” he received L’Ordre de la Couronne and the Croix de Guerre (Belgium) “Just a few fancy things for being lucky,” he explained to his interviewer with an embarrassed smile. The “luck” continued and Captain Randall did such good work in Afghanistan that a bar was added to his D.F.C. Among his colleagues there were the late Sir Ross Smith and Flight Lieutenant lyebsler, who won a Schneider Cup race for Britain. The latter was a member of, his squadron. BOMBING OF KABUL Captain Randall’s exploits north of India included the bombing of Kabul in a de Havilland "TO.” Later he became interested in civil aviation and visited various parts of the world, Including South America. “Flying is going ahead enormously there,” he said. “Many Englishmen are in Buenos Ayres, attracted by the growth of civil aviation.” During his eight months in Australia, Captain Randall visited all the airports and was attracted particularly by the opportunities at Fremantle, where he organised Aerial Taxis. “Its operations begin just after Christmas,” he said. “We plan to have a weekly passenger service to Albany and services to Perth. Three of the latest D.H. Hawk Moths are on order. They are five-seater cabined monoplanes, convertible for use as seaplanes. Two pilots have been engaged.” Discussing the prospects in New Zealand he expressed keen regret at the accident to the Dornier-Libelle in Auckland resulting in the death of Captain Harkness whom he knew personally, and Mr. Goldsbro. “Aviation can ill afford to lose men of the type of the late Captain Harkness, but it will be a great pity if civil flying is given a set-back,” he remarked. Captain Randall confesses frankly that he has no set plans for his stay in New Zealand, but if opportunities are open he will form a company on the lines of Aerial Taxis. He hopes to stay in New Zealand for good.