AERIAL HOLIDAY

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20731, 15 February 1939, Page 4

AERIAL HOLIDAY

HAMILTON PILOTS’ TRIP TOURING DOMINION BY PLANE JOURNEY OVER STRANGE COUNTRY The popularity of aerial holidays among young pilots is rapidly growing and the latest undertaking of that nature was by two Hamilton men, Mr T. J. Mas the Waikato Aero Club. Mr Massey i has been living for two years and has 1-50 hours solo work to his credit, while his co-piiot, Mr Coatii, has been in the air for 12 months and has done 50 hours. Their plane was a De Havilaud Gypsy Moth, ZK —ACC., and was carefully overhauled by the ground engineer at Rukuhia before the trip, winch was accomplished over strange country. A start was made on Thursday, January 10. from the Waikato airport and the first part of the journey was undertaken down the west coast to New Plymouth, inland to Palmerston North, across Cook Strait to Blenheim, and then to Christchurch. After that Timaru was visited before the | return trip, which was made by way of Wellington up the east coast of the North Island to Gisborne, across to Rotorua and back to Hamilton. Delayed Start On the day it was proposed to start the wind at Rukuhia was blowing at 40 miles an hour and sometimes 60 miles an hour. The conditions were universal so it was impossible for the pilots to take off. That night they slept in their flying-suits at the clubhouse in order to make an early take-off the following morning. However, the inclement weather lasted for three days during which time the lowest barumetic pressure krfown in the Dominion was recorded. At last on Thursday morning, January 19, the pilots left for New Plymouth with last-minute instructions from the instructor, Flying Officer F. Truman. Strong head winds were encounterwhen travelling down the coast and slow time was made, two and aquarter hours elapsing before Bell Block aerodrome at New Plymouth was reached. As the plane circled the drome the strength of the wind •was evidenced by the sight of two men running out to the centre of the landing field. In a high and gusty wind planes have to be caught by persons as they land to prevent them from blowing over. The landing of ACC was successfully made and it was escorted into the hangar where refuelling was carried out and weather reports attended to. Off to Palmerston North Weather being suitable at Palmerston North the pilots left New Plymouth and headed inland. The- wind was helping the machine on this stage of the journey and the hop was made in one hour ten minutes. At Palmerston North a high breeze was still blowing and they were again helped in their landing by the aerodrome officials. After inquiring about the weather conditions further south it was decided to stay the night at Palmerston.. On Friday morning the wind had reached a speed of 40 miles an hour but conditions at Blenheim were reported to be favourable was decided to miss Wellington and make for Blenheim. Difficulty was had with the machine on the ground before leaving and as the wind was increasing in velocity three men were employed to hold the plane stationary. Finally, after being escorted to the centre of the ground, the machine was headed into the wind and took off. Rough conditions were experienced before reaching the coast but from then on the trip was much smoother. Paekakariki soon appeared and on circling the railway station the pilots received advice by means of a cross on the platform to proceed on their way. The plane climbed steadily in order to.obtain sufficient safety height to cross Cook Strait. When 7000 feet had been attained Cape Terawhiti was visible so the machine was directed towards the South Island. The siiortest crossing, 15 miles, was chosen. Conditions were perfect, the sea being smooth, the sky cloudless and the plane behaving well. Crossing the Straits The Straits were crossed in approximately 20 minutes and when within two miles of the South Island, the pilots veered down the cost towards Blenheim. Head winds were met accompanied by rough air, but Blenheim came in sight after two hours 20 minutes’ flying. The plane landed into another high wind and had to be escorted into the hangar. It was impossible to proceed to Christchurch