FLIGHT LESSONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 261, 3 November 1928, Page 9

FLIGHT LESSONS.

ZEPP'S NEAR CALL

Airship Ruled Out For Atlantic Trade.

STEAMSHIPS PREFERABLE,

("Times" Cables.)

(Received 0.P.0 a.m.) LONDON, November 2, The "Times" correspondent

Berlin slates that airships have no clianeo of competing with steamships in ilie Atlantic trade, according to the famous war-time pilot, Wilhelm Schulzo, who travelled on the Zeppe lin out from home.

Ho points out that the airship saved 48 hours on the homeward journey compared with the German liners, bnt the new liners of 1920 will reduce the saving by half.

The saving might disappear altogether if aeroplanes were used at both ends. Consequently Schulzo rules out airships as compared with liners owing to the lattcr's comforts and reliability.

Nevertheless airships ought profitably to bo employed elsewhere, notably between Germany and South America, taking a. week instead of the existing tlnee, and also possibly 011 the Far East gen iee. FUTURE OF LZI27. LONG FLIGHTS PLANNED. (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) (Received 11.-10 a.m.) BERLIN, November 2. Dr. Eekener says the Graf Zeppelin will be used to train crews and to conduct meteorological researches. It will make long (lights but not cross the Atlantic again this year. He is planning to build two new and stronger airships, one for Berlin, and the other probably for the Rhine Valley, where he proposes to establish a general air port for tho trans-Atlantic service. MORE POWER NEEDED. OCEAN STILL MASTER. (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) BERLIN, November 2. In an address to the people of Friedrichshafen who took part in a torchlight procession last evening Dr. Eekener described the difficulties of the flight of the LZI27 through fog and storm. He said lie had never underestimated the trans-ocean journey. "Our experience coming home," he said, "was so serious that I am convinced wo are still far from conquering the ocean. We encountered a head wind which attained a velocity of 150 ft a second. The Zeppelin was once driven down within 50 yards of the sea and only Providence saved us. "I had a feeling that the Zeppelin was breaking to pieces, but finally she mastered the storm. We saw the ice mountains of Newfoundland beneath us and recognised the greatness of the malicious drift of the Atlantic. The Zeppelin only steadied herself after a broken-down engine had been mended. "We must build stronger engines which no longer will be playthings in the grip of the elements. I now realise why so many trans-Atlantic flyers have found their graves near Newfoundland Wo must build airships strong enough to enable them to cross the ocean, not solely by avoiding the storm centres. FLIGHT TO ENGLAND. Australians To Leave Wyndham To-morrow. FIRST HOP TO JAVA. SYDNEY, November 2. Captain Hurley and Flying-Officers Moir and Owen landed in the monoplane Spirit of Australia last night at Daly Waters. They left there again at 6.20 a.m. to-day, South Australian time, and covered the last Australian stage ol their preliminary flight, landing at Wyndham, on the north coast of Western Australia, at 9.45 a.m., West ern Australian time. If the weather is favourable tomorrow the airmen will leave on their 1600 miles' hop to Andir, Java. Their trip to England and back will be attempted from Wyndham. FOUR MODERN 'PLANES. ORDERED TO WEST AUSTRALIA (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) (Received 11 a.m.) LONDON, November 2. Major Brearley, director of West Australian Airways, states that four of the most modern machines are being constructed at the de Havilland works. They will have accommodation for fou.teen passengers. The many innovations include wheel brakes on tail when replacing the skid, thus obtaining tho maximum of ground manoeuvring, and special instruments to enable a surer navigation at night time ant. above tho clouds. BERLIN TO TOKYO. HUENEFELD RETURNING. (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) (Received 11.30 a.m.) TOKYO, November 2. Baron Ilucnefekl, the Atlantic and Berlin to Tokyo flyer, is returning to Europe to-morrow across Siberia. He ha* donated the aeroplane Europia, in whicn I he made the latter flight, to the Iniperial Aviation Association. TASMAN FLYERS. N.Z.'S GRACEFUL TRIBUTE. SYDNEY, November 2. Friends and admirers of SquadronLeuder Kingsford Smith and FligbtJ.ieutcnant C. T. P. Ulm greatly approbate tlie granting by the New Zealand Government of commissions in the Dominion Air Force, which are regarded a? " graceful tribute to the airmen, both °f whom are at present in Melbourne for Cup racing carnival.