LIKE ROCKET.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 208, 3 September 1934, Page 7

LIKE ROCKET.

AMERICAN MACHINE. Wiley Post to Shoot Through - Stratosphere. AIR RACE COMPETITOR, limited P.A.—Electric Telegraph-Copyright) " LONDON, September 2. The "Sunday Dispatch" states that Mi-. Wiley Post, one of the American entrants for the Centenary air race, will shoot, through the stratosphere like a rocket and arrive in Australia on the second day of the race if his plan succeeds. The airman has fitted a' "blower" engine in his machine. This will deliver thin air from the'stratosphere and enable him'to breathe. Also it will obviate the necessity of carrying heavy tubes of oxygen. The engine collects the thin air and delivers it at sea lev,el atmospheric pressure. If ,tlie pressure is too great a valve cutsjoff the supply; The breathed air will be discharged through valves in the boots of an air-tight suit in which Mr. Post will be encased. ~ The flyer's aluminium helmet is equipped to receive the transformed air. Mr. Post expects to attain a speed of at least 350 miles an hour seven miles above the earth. His air-tight suit will carry a small supply of oxygen in the event of the "blower" failing. British air experts regard the plan as feasible. They say that if it succeeds it will be the most sensational flight in history. INSURANCE PREMIUMS. UNDERWRITERS' DECISION. LONDON, September 2. The pool of underwriters announces the following premiums for entrants in the Centenary air race: —Death, 8 per cent; death or disability, 10 per cent. The rates for the aircraft will be:— To the value of £1000, 20 per cent; to the value of £10,000, 15 per cent; over £10,000, 10 per cent. One-third of the premium paid will be returned to individual competitors in the event of no claim being made.

TWENTY MILES HIGH. BALLOON ASCENT PLANNED. (Received 11.30 a.m.) LONDON", September 2. The "Sunday Chronicle" publishes an article from Saanemoser, Switzerland, stating that Professor Auguste Piccard is planning an ascent of 20 miles into tho stratosphere in a new type of balloon. M. Piccard believes that stratosphere flights from London to New York in six hours are not far distant. ROSCOE TURNER SPEEDS. AMERICAN AVIATOR'S FEAT. NEW YORK, September 2. In connection with the national air races being held at Cleveland, Ohio, Roscoe Turner beat his own trans-con-tinental record by 2 minutes 39 seconds. He flew frbm Los Angeles to New York, approximately 2520 miles, in 10 hours 2 minutes 50 seconds. The airman stopped for fuel three times, namely, at Wichita in Kansas, St. Louis and Cleveland. His average speed was more than 250 miles an hour. Koscoo Turner is an entrant in the Centenary race. SPORT OF GLIDING. GREAT MEETING IN YORKSHIRE (British, Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 2. National gliding competitions will be held during the next 10 days near Thirsk, Yorkshire. Some 20 or 30 machines will be available. It is generally expected that British records for height and distance and the present duration record of eight hours will be Jjroken.

The British Gliding Association is engaged in evolving a scheme for the use of the £5000 annual subsidy granted by the Government in buying sites and machines and employing instructors. BADLY SHAKEN. LIGHTNING STRIKES PILOT. LONDON", September 2. A passenger aeroplane flying from Paris, to London had a remarkable escape when it was struck by lightning during a sudden storm over the Channel, says the "Daily Mail." The pilot was struck in the face and his hair was scorched and his clothing slightly burnt, but he carried on. None of the passengers was aware of what had happened until the machine landed safely in London. The pilot then emerged from the cabin and appeared to be badly shaken.

MAILS BY AUTOGYRO. LONDON DELIVERY PLANNED. » LONDON, September 2. The "Morning Post," referring to the attempt to be made next week to use the roof of the General Post Office for the delivery and collection of air mails by autogyro, says that if it is successful it will revolutionise the commercial development of aviation.