MAKING SWIFT FLIGHT ON ATLANTIC CROSSING

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1051, 15 August 1930, Page 9

MAKING SWIFT FLIGHT ON ATLANTIC CROSSING

Ric: STARTS FOR HOME

HOPES FOR RECORD United B.A.—By Telegraph —Copyright Reed. 10.50 a.m. MONTREAL, Thurs. The British airship RIOO left St. Huberts airdrome, Montreal, at 9.29 p.m. yesterday, on her return flight to England. The dirigible, with 13 passengers on board, was on her way before the crowd of spectators realised it. Then a roar of applause broke out as she rose into the air with five of her engines humming softly and one silent.

A message from Father Point, Quebec, on the right bank of the St. Lawrence River, says RIOO passed over there at 2.5 a.m. today. Hours ahead of the tentative schedule, the airship was heading out over the Atlantic early this afternoon after passing the Straits of Belle Isle. RIOO utilised to the utmost the favourable winds down the St. Lawrence and across the Gulf until she touched 80 miles an hour with an average of close to 70 m.p.h. for the first 540 miles. With favourable weather to Newfoundland and across the Atlantic it appears that all records for an airship crossing will he smashed. Accounts of the speed, received heTe, show it be almost incredulous. FOLLOWING WINDS

A British Official Wireless message from Rugby says the weather conditions are favourable for a quick trip by RIOO across the Atlantic. The Air Ministry states the winds are westerly along the whole route. The average speed of the wind at 2,000 feet is about 20 to 30 miles an hour along the western half of the route and 50 miles an hour, along the eastern half. Some decrease is probable in this area, but nevertheless the following winds will be strongest in the latter part of the journey. When the ship left the airport the Commander said he hoped to reach Cardington in 50 hours. If this schedule is adhered to RIOO will beat the Graf Zeppelin’s time for the west-t.o-east crossing. The German airship took 55 hours 24 minutes to cross from Lakeliurst, New Jersey, to Freidrichshaven, Lake Constance. RIOO already holds the record for the east-to-west Atlantic crossing.