THE ZEPPELIN FLIGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 246, 17 October 1928, Page 6

THE ZEPPELIN FLIGHT.

The safe arrival of the German airship in America must be a great relief to those immediately concerned after the long delay and the inexplicable silence that marked the later stages of the flight. But the success of this trans-oceanic voyage does not go far toward establishing the case for the Zeppelin or any othe£ lighter than,air machine; This airsliip had to cover 5600 miles to reach its destination, and this, of cottrse, is far more than the direct distance across the Atlantic along the ordinary steamer routes. Moreover, the time occupied -—four days sixteen hours approximately—rdoes not compare very favourably with the trans-Atlantic record by steam Even m Germany, where naturally the triumpl: of the Zeppelin is regarded as a great national achievement, the verdict oi 'the experts is nol yet decisive. So far W this voyage is. concerned, it suggests to them-ilthat "the risks arc too great and airships are still too susceptible to weather conditions" to justify whole-hearted support of the airship against the aeroplane, However, in England the position is regarded more hopefully.' Common der'Burney expects airships in Ahe near future to'fly 100 miles as hour, as against the Zeppelin's 65 ipiles, and tc cross the Atlantic in fi?om two S|6 two anc a-half days. If the: two British affships now nearing completion fulfil these anticipations a great impetus Will certainly be given to transoceanic travel in lighter-than-air machines But we are still: a long way from that Utopias age already dreaiined of by certain enthusiasts in: aviation when ;all other forms of transport andtransmission are to be superseded by flying ,or floating above, the earth at great speed, ir perfect comfort and absolute safety. r