LONE NEW ZEALAND AIRMAN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 881, 27 January 1930, Page 8

LONE NEW ZEALAND AIRMAN

THERE is a quality of independent daring about the attempt and achievement of a lone flyer that stirs the imagination of the world. Companionship is a great aid to courage, and the knowledge that a man has been willing in facing the hazards and uncertainties of a long flight, to forgo such aid, increases the warmth of public appreciation, whether or not he succeeds. Lindbergh became America’s national hero overnight not because he flew the Atlantic—that had been done many times before—but because he was an American, and because he had flown alone. Hinkler won for himself a lasting place in the hearts of his fellow-countrymen, not only because he made a magnificent flight, but because he was an Australian and had carried out his self-imposed task unaided. By succeeding in flying from England to Australia in 36 days, Mr. F. C. Chichester, of Wellington, becomes the third lone flyer who has brought a long and difficult air journey to a happily eventful conclusion. His accomplishment is all the more worthy because the attempt was modestly and unobtrusively planned, being devoid of blaring publicity and personal announcements. Nevertheless, the young Wellington man made thorough preparation. The full story of the flight is only beginning to he told, but it discloses careful attention to detail and a complete organisation in which the airman was assisted by his brother. Despite the fact that mishap delayed the airman’s flight and robbed him of the triumph that would have been his had he succeeded in lowering the existing time record for small machines, he has proved again, and significantly, that successful aviation in the pioneer field of long-distance attempts must be divorced from more or less impulsive “stunting.” Mr. Chichester’s crash in the swamps of Tripoli put an end to his dream of setting a new speed standard. This, and a narrow escape at Port Victoria, might have daunted one less fixed in purpose. Moreover, his mental strain and worry must have been increased greatly by the tragic news of his wife’s death in Wellington, received while he was in Northern Africa. His decision to carry on in the face of such misfortune showed admirable spirit in full keeping with the traditions of the profession he has represented so worthily. There have been five previous flights between England and Australia. Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith were the first, their trip in 1919 occupying 124 flying hours. They were followed by Sir Alan Cobham and, two years ago, by Mr. Bert Hinkler who crossed the world with his little airplane in 134 hours. There were also the flights of Captain W. N. Lancaster and Mrs. Keith Miller, and Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith and his companions. Today the name of a hitherto obscure young flyer—an enthusiast, little known even in the aviation circles of his own country—must be added to the list. He has done his share in making flying history and his failure to create a new record matters little. New Zealand will honour him because he is a New Zealander, and because he flew alone.