IN THE AIR.

Taihape Daily Times, 16 October 1919, Page 5

IN THE AIR.

FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA. CAPT. MATTHEWS’ JOURNEY. Received 9.10 a_m. LONDON, Oct. 15. Captain Matthews hopes to maintain an average speed of ninety miles, and only fly five hours daily. He apprehends the most Serious difficulties will be the variable weather in Malaya and the fact landing grounds beyond India are an unknown quantity. He therei’or_e_ Will be‘ satisfied if he toiiipletés the journey within six weeks. He is more interested in xiemonstrating tlle utility of a single engined» plane "for long distances than in winning the prize, although he will do hi; test to win. To do the journey within the thirty days with a reasonable certainty would require relay pilots and prepared landing "grounds; Capt. Matthews expects to maintain ‘an altitude of between six thousand and ten thousand feet. The aviators will rely for food upo-n the hospitality of the countries where they land_ Acting on the advice of the Air Mrinistry arepeatiiig rifle will be carried to combat any hostile savages. Capt. Matthews carried an autograph letter from the King to Sir Munro Ferguson.

FURTHER DETAILS. Received 8.45 am. LONDON, Oct. 15. Capt, Matthews begins his flight on Sunday. He was formerly in the mercantlile marine, holds an extra’ master’s certificate. He joined the Light Horse at the outbreak of the war and obtained a commission at Gallipoli. Subsequently he joined the Australian Flying Corps in France. Matthews has an intimate knowledge of the Malay, Archipelago and Celebees. Sergeant Kay, mechanic, was also trained as a relief pilot. The machine carries fuel for 12 hundred miles flight in calm weather. It does not carry wireless. The route roughly will be over France, Italy, and Greece, then to Egypt through Mesopotamia, north coast of the Persian Gulf to Km-ac-hi, across India to Calcutta, down the Malay Peninsula, landing at Rangoon, thence to Batavia, Timor and Port Darwin.

AN AIR RECORD. V Rceived 10.10 a.m. . " PARIS, Oct, 14. The airman Dormanet achieved a record speed of 190 miles an hour near ‘Paris. ' } V Poulet, after passing Lyons, flew over Sainte Rambert, and dropped a, banquet inscribed “To my comrakfe, Julis Vedrines.” '