New Zealand Aviator Broadcasts Experience

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 30, 7 February 1930, Page 1

New Zealand Aviator Broadcasts Experience

Thriiling Solo Flight from Engiand to Australia

-"FTER a long and strenuous Viflight, fraught with much ti bardship and danger, Mr. Chisichester, the well-known New gZiZealand aviator, landed at ithe Mascot aerodrome, Sydney, on January 80, thus con"cluding the last hon of his

splendid solo flight from England. Mr. Chichester has thereby achieved the distinction of being the first New Zealand aviator to fiy to Australia over this route. On the airman’s arrival in Sydney, he was promptly approached by representatives of the Australian Broadcasting Company, who desired him to give a broadcast account of his adyventurous flight. This was consented to, and at 10.22 p.m. on the evening of January 31, an interesting interview between the aviator and My. Charlton, the announcer of 2BL, Sydney, was broadcast. Realising the great interest manifest by the New Zealand public in this daring flight, the R.B.. was also prompt in making arrangements for a rebroadcast of the event; and at 10.22 p.m. voice of 2BL’S announcer, who intidentally is a New Zealander, was heard calling: "Hullo, New Zealandhullo, 2YA, Wellington-We are pleased to have ‘here for an interview tonight Mr. Chichester, one of your most daring aviators, who bas just. coneluded his wonderful solo flight from England to Australia. Though this route has been flown by several Australian airmen, Mr. Chichester holds the honoured distinction of being the first New Zealander to accomplish the same long and dangerous flight." Mr. Chichester was. then introduced, and the interview commenced, Mr. Chichester Interviewed. At the commencement Mr. Chichester. in reply to a question concerning his "wonderful flight," very generously remarked that any New Zealand 0} Australian aviator, if afforded the chance that he had been given, would hie eagerly seized the opportunity ti make the flight. Unfortunately at this juncture th: rebroadcast from 2YA was badly mar red by fading and heavy static, After a period of a few minutes, however, reception brightened and the conversation became audible while the aviator was describing his crash at Tripoli. One wins and the tail of his *plane were ba .. damaged, and but for the kindness und assistance of the Italian aviators there he would have been delayed much longer. In response to a question concerning the weather experienced during the fiight, Mr. Chichester stated that the crossing of the Java Straits was by far the stormiest portion of his journey. "The weather from Darwin across Queensland was extremely hot and dusty," continued the airman, "and visibilty was so poor that I could see only about half a mile ahead. Naviga-

tion was yery confusing, as there were no rivers where I expected to see them, and the roads in the backblocks were obliterated by heavy rains. I was unfortunate in striking the latter conditions," continued the aviator, "as I understand they have rain in that district only once in nine years." While accomplishing this portion of the flight Mr. Chichester had a yery exciting experience. One evening at dusk he was constantly on the look-out for the landing lights of an aerodrome he

knew to be close handy. Finally, after an anxious period of watching, he sighted what he took to be the lights for which he was searching. He circled down and landed-in a lake. This, however, was fortunately only a few inches deep.

Much Hard Work. LL arrangements for the flight had taken five weeks of- hard work, stated. Mr. Chichester. Much had to be done. Provision had to be made for refuelling along the route, and passports for the different countries he flew over had to be secured. The latter part was, however, arranged for him by the authorities in England. "LT hope IL won’t haye to return to Egypt," remarked the aviator humour-

ously, "for I flew over that country without being passed by their Customs." WHEN questioned about the possibility of a regular ‘air: serrice between England and Australia, Mr.

Chichester expressed the opinion that as the Dutch were about to institute aun aeroplane service between the Bast Indies and Holland. there yas no rea~ son why a service should not be conducted between Australia and England. In any event, be thought the latter service was bound t6 come, and if the Australian Government world give its support, regular air communication between the two countries could be inaugurated within 18 months. "The best type of machine fur the service is undoubtedly a flying-boat," stated Mr. Chichester. ‘It should have x cruising speed of about 100 miles per hour. and should be desig gned te carry enough fuel for an eight-houw flight each day of the journer. The trip would then be completed in about three weeks." The airman remarked that he was’ feeling exceedingly fit, and "he ho to be leaving for Wellington during the coming week. "Bear that. Nev Zealand?’ said: 2BL’S announcer. The latter con tinued by saying what a splendid 1. ception the airman had been afforded in Sydney, and that Australia was looking to New Zealand to nn equally elaborate welcome. Two-way Communication. At the conclusion of the intervie Mr. Charlton. 2BL’s announcer euled: "Hullo! New Zealand. Hulle? 2YA, . Wellington," and he inquired about the suecess of the rebroadcast, At this, Mr. Drummond, the announcer at 2YA, called back: "Hullo, 2B, Sydney. We would like to thank you for affording us this opportunity of hearing Mr. Chichester relate his unique experiences during his history-making flight. He is regarded by New Zealand us ‘the hero of the hour." We also uope that he will not have to return to Hgypt-at least. not until he has visited us and received the wonderfal welcome that is awaiting him." This conversation between the two announcers is unique, inasmuch as it is the first two-way communication ever established between two broadcasting stations, one of them in New Zealand.