N.Z. GIRL PILOT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 195, 19 August 1930, Page 7

N.Z. GIRL PILOT.

MAY FLY TO DOMINION

Miss Aroha Clifford to Inspect

Autogiro 'Plane.

NOVEL AIRCRAFT.

(United P.A.—Electric Tel-igiaph— Copyright)

LONDON, August 18

Colonel John Josselyn, managing director of the Cierva Autogiro Company, Limited, states that Mrss Aroha Clifford, of Christchivrch, New Zealand, has gone to Europe to examine an autogiro. She intends to attempt to fly to New Zealand in one of these machines if it proves to be suitable.

A message from Christchurch on June 6 stated: Hopes of making a solo aeroplane flight fuom England to Australia and back to England are held by Mies Aroha Clifford, of Christchurch, but everything is dependent upon the consent of her father, Mr. W. L. Clifford. So far, although enthusiastic about Miss Clifford's fiighte in the Dominion, he has proved adamant when approached by his daughter * and her friends with the suggestion that ehe should attempt the England-Australia flight. Speaking of her ambition. Miss Clifford said she was under no illusion as to the difficulties of the trip. Cn July 19 she was to leave Wellington by the Eangitane for England. On her arrival ehe would immediately endeavour to obtain a ground engineer's ticket and gain admission to one of the big aeroplane works.

In Britain Miss Clifford indended doing a good deal of flying, and eventually perhaps she would be able to obtain permission for the big flight. Of the seven lady pilots in the Dominion Miss Clifford has easily the greatest experience. She has crossed Cook Strait on eight occasions, and has flown to Auckland, to Hastinpr, Hawera, and Feilding, and from Dunedin to Christchurch. Her record is 120 hours eolo flying. . .

In September, 1928, Senor Juan de la Cierva, inventor of the autogiro, crossed the English Channel in the first really efficient 'plane of that make, which trip was said to be as revolutionary as Bleriot's 1909 crossing. The machine had fixed winge like an aeroplane, and four rotation vanes or vertical shafts. These were propelled by air, and once in flight needed no control. The machine averaged 110 miles an hour, and ascended to 1900 ft. But its greatest asset was it ability to descend almost vertically in a very conr fined space, as on an aircraft-carrier, or perhaps"~~"a large courtyard, not moving more than three yards along the surface.

Senior de la Cierva was invited by the Lit Ministry to demonstrate his original autogiro in 1925, but his 1928 invention was inestimably superior to the other.

AVIATION RECORD.

Endurance Flight Lasts Nearly

27 Days.

ENGINE TROUBLE CAUSES STOP

NEW YORK, August 18.

Messrs. Dale Jackson and Forrest O'Brine have completed an endurance refuelling flight' at St. Louis of 26 days 23 hours 28 minutes 30 seconds, in the aeroplane Greater St. Louis.

The airmen landed early yesterday morning owing to engine trouble.

Pubßc interest in America was stimulated by the usual commercial trimmings attached to the record refuelling endurance flight of the Hunter' brothers last month. It was well known that an oil corporation was paying them 100 dollars for each additional hour they remained in the air after breaking the record of 17% days, amounting in all to 10,000 dollars. A Cleveland valves concern offered the flyers 600 dollars "or their valves for experimental purposes. They turned down a cigarette company's offer of 10,000 dollars to endorse their brand, remarking: "We don't smoke cigarettes." A rumour was circulated that the Wright engine company had offered them 50,000 dollars, and that a coffee concern had suggested their accepting 8000 dollars for an endorsement of their product.

Money rolled in from many, other sources. They received a considerable sum for the right to "broadcast messages from their plane, and several handsome gifts from Chicago merchants. It was also stated that they had accepted a lucrative contract to appear on the films, and the entire Himter family of mother, daughter and four sons received a "high price" figure for a vaudeville. tour. The flying brothers stated that as eoon as their record was broken they would immediately again set out to shatter the endurance flying time.