NON-STOP FLIGHT.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 April 1922, Page 3

NON-STOP FLIGHT.

AUCKLAND TO GISBORNE. AEROPLANE’S FAST TRIP. Gisborne, April 6. The possibilities of aerial transport were further demonstrated on the return journey of the DH9 limousine from Auckland to-day. The machine reached Gisborne at 10.30 a.m., having made another non-stop flight. It left Auckland in dull weather about 7.50 a.m., and with a light head wind accomplished the trip, a distance of 240 miles, in 2h. 25min., the average speed being just upon 100 miles an hour. The conditions were even more favorable than on Tuesday. The weather was dull on starting, with a number of low- clouds, but the machine climbed above these and made for the Bay of Plenty, where the visibility was excellent. The land and seascape was spread out all round in a marvellous manner, with some wonderful cloud effects. The machine flew along the coast, climbing gradually until over Opotiki. The maximum height of the trip, 11.000 ft., was then reached. All the way along the Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, with its chain of lakes and springs, was in plain view, while Mount Tarawera made a fine sight. White Island was discernible in the midst of a steam display, while straight ahead loomed Cape Runaway and the coast extending to East Cape. At Te Aroha Captain Buckley saluted one of Walsh Brothers’ machines, piloted by Captain Fowler, by circling round it. From Opotiki the machine flew high over the ranges to Motu, w’here a gradual descent was commenced. Over Motu there were some fine cloud effects, produced by the tops of the higher hills projecting through the low-lying clouds. From above the cloud-filled valleys resembled placid lakes.