MADE C.B.E.

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 988, 3 June 1930, Page 9

MADE C.B.E.

BIRTHDAY HONOURS FOR AMY JOHNSON ACCEPTS GIFT AIRPLANE United P.A. — By Telegraph Copyright Reed. 10.10 a.m. LONDON, Monday. It is officially announced that Miss Amy Johnson has been awarded the decoration of Commander of the British Empire. The “Evening News” says Miss Amy Johnson was awarded the Commander of the British Empire through the inspiration of King George, who. considering the Empire's interest in the flight, believed the Order of the British Empire to be the most suitable award. The paper adds; “The quality of the flight is regarded as meriting the higher distinction of Dame, but her youth led to the conclusion that the Commandership was more suitable. “The present honour does not rule out the possibility of her receiving the Air Force Cross. HONOUR INSUFFICIENT Speculation is voiced as to whether Miss Johnson’s C.B.E. may not preclude further honour when she returns. Critics have already emphasised that her flight merits the Air Force Cross. It is recalled that Bert Hinkler s Cross was Dot. given until he returned, when the Prince of Wales bestowed it on behalf of the King. It would be a most popular move if Miss Johnson's return was similarly celebrated. The present honour in nowise prevents the later presentation of the Cross. A message from Brisbane says Miss Johnson's airplane has been completely repaired, and was tested out today by Captain 11. Brain, who will fly it to Sydney. A gift of a Moth airplane by the De Havilland Company has been gratefully accepted hv Miss Johnson for her use in England. NOT ENOUGH REST CAUSE OF NERVOUS STRAIN FATIGUE OF LONG FLIGHTS MELBOURNE, May 24. When Miss Amy Johnson arrived in Australia her nerves were frayed by her arduous flight across the two treacherous stretches of sea, and her perilous adventure over the jungle. Discussing the nervous upset following such a strain, a medical man explained to a Melbourne newspaper man that, explainiug the reasons for this today, a leading doctor, himself an airman, said it was the constant mental effort that took the heaviest toll of an aviator’s nervous energy on a prolonged flight. “After long reconnaissance flights—four or five hours, perhaps—during the war, airmen who normally made good landings, men with thousands of hours’ flying experience, would land badly,” he said. “It was simply the mental fatigue that was responsible. That is where the danger lies. “After a long flight, particularly where rough weather has been encountered, i". is a constant physic; I and mental effort to keep the machine on an even keel. “After a man or woman has been flying day after day, a staleness similar to that of an overtaxed athlete, develops. The continuous necessity for performing the same thing hour after hour, day after day, tires the brain, and the aviator feels he does not care what happens. NOT RESTING “Flying has a peculiarly tiring effect. Although you ar<> just a passenger, doing nothing ail day. you will feel when you land as fatigued as though you had just come from a day’s solid golf. “It is obvious that the strain on the pilot is much more severe. “In Miss Johnson's case, lack of sleep would also be a b g factor. She is probably getting nothing likt the proper amount of rest. “Instead of sleeping, she is prohabiy thinking what she will do next day. deciding between six or seven alterim tive3. “Although she said it was not her intention to beat Hinkler's record when she set out, she was obviously pretty keen on doing it. Probably that gave her an artificial buoyancy until she saw it could not be accomplished. Irregular Food “Food is another important item. On her long hops, she would be eating irregularly and insufficiently. Probably she subs.sted on chocolate, which seems to be the standard d.ct for long-distance aviators.” He said it was a magnificent achievement for a woman. He had found that, in almost every instance where a man had perofrmed a big flight, his heart was in sound condition. A solid heart governed the body, and endurance and determin: - tion relied to a big degree on physical { perfection. Miss Johnson, he said, was apparently a strong-spirited woman, who had prepared herself for the flight by plenty of active work. Otherwise, the difficulty of her task would have oeen considerably intensified. WOULD USE PARACHUTE LONDON, May 20. When Miss Amy Johnson decided j to carry a parachute for her flight to ] Australia, she did not know how it worked, but fully qualified he elf latter half an hour’s expert tu; .on. i She declared she uouid not hesiI tate to jump front the plane after tho expert had told her rarachuting was ! a pleasant, comfortable, and not a 1 terrifying experience, and that one I seemed to be floating in the air, I rather than falling. Miss Johnson wears a parachute cf Royal Air Force pattern. It is op .•- ated by hand. If she had to jump for her life, and I failed to pull the rip cord, ring, sh« j would be killed