Story of N.Z. Aviation

New Zealand Listener, Volume 21, Issue 540, 28 October 1949, Page 24

Story of N.Z. Aviation

WENTY-ONE years ago, people who did not know a crochet from a quaver, or who had no piano at home on which to play, bought a piece of sheet music simply to read the words of a‘ lyric which celebrated the exploits of Kingsford-Smith, Ulm, and other members of the crew of the famous aeroplane, Southern Cross. With a portrait of "Smithy" on the cover, the song was at the time a souvenir of an event of considerable significance. It was sold to those who crowded, the aerodromes where the Southern Cross touched down, and it was. bought, by those who had craned their necks in suburban backyards to see the big machine fly over. This is only one memory that will be | revived by Skyways; an NZBS (Com- | mercial Division) programme on the development of aviation in New Zealand, soon to be presented from the four ZB stations and 2ZA. Skyways, written by Bryan O’Brien, introduces an impressive list of names of people who had something to do with the growth of flying in this country-Vivian Walsh, Sir Joseph Ward, Sir James Allen, Colonel E, S. Heard, and others. In part it is a story of determined visionaries, but there were also the’ fearful, who saw nothing but future regret if people were permitted to take to the air. From that early doubtful attitude to the modern acceptance of aviation which | leaves one quite unsurprised that the Brabazon actually flew, the development is recorded as it passed through its various phases, stimulated by such men as Clarke, MacGregor, Kirkup and Mercer. Skyways will be heard on Sunday, November 6, at 7.0 p.m. For that evening only, the Citizens’ Forum broadcast will be omitted from the programmes. Pioneer Night Flight The latest development in New Zealand aviation will take place on Monday, October 31, when the National Airways

Corporation will inaugurate a night flying service between Wellington and Auckland. This, it is said, will be the first step in the development of regular night passenger flying in New Zealand. A delayed. actuality broadcast of the take-off of the first aircraft will be made by the NZBS in a National link following the 9.0 p.m. news that evening. A mobile recording unit will visit Paraparaumu airport to interview the general manager of National Airways, the pilot of the aircraft, and four of the passengers, as well as to make a recording of the official signals transmitted by the aircraft as it takes off at 6.10 p.m, for Whenuapai.