FLYING IN AMERICA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 130, 4 June 1935, Page 8

FLYING IN AMERICA.

EXPERIENCES OF A NEW

ZEALANDER.

TRANS-CONTINENTAL TRIP.

Flying across America on his way to England to buy machines forsook Strait Airways, Ltd., for which he is chief pilot, Flight-Lieutenant G. B. Bolt has written to a friend in Christehurch detailing his experiences and giving an insight into the working of the highly efficient trans-Continental services.

Leaving San. Francisco by a United Airlines 'plane for Los Angeles, a- night flight of 3GO miles was made in 1 hour 50 minutes, ssays Mr. Bolt. The Boeing 'planes used carry a stewardess, who serve** refreshments, folds and puts away coats and hats, supplies cigarottes, attends to belts before and after landings and generally looks after the passengers' comfort. Mr. Bolt's only complaint on that portion of the trip was the sudden descent from 14,000 feot which caused earaohe to a number of the passengers. At 8 o'clock next morning the 'plane took off for Chicago, via Salt Lake, City. The woather was more or leas cloudy, and tho height flown at was mostly 10,000 ft. After an hour's flying the 'plane came down to give the passengers a chance to view the enormous Boulder Dam, nearing completion. The whole countryside, writes Mr. Bolt presented a wonderful sight, being snowcovered as far as the eye could see. At Salt Lake City passengers wore transferred to another 'plane. During this portion of the journey magazines, writing materials (postage free) and refreshments were supplied.

Continuing the Journey eastward - the weather was gradually becoming worse, and visibility was poor. Chicago was reached at 2 a.m. in a blinding enow storm.

Mr. Bolt referred to the hangars, which were open at both ends. »The 'planes taxied under cover and then went straight on. Refuelling was also done under cover.

When flying east of Cheyenne 'planes were fitted with a device on the leading edge of the swings to check trouble with ice forming on the wings. The noses .0' the machines were also doubleskinned owing to ice flying off the propellers like marbles. The following morning the journey was continued by Doiiglas -plane to New York, with a landing at Pittsburgh.

A wonderful example of the development of flying, he says, was to have lunch above the clouds in perfect sunny weather, although it waa bad beneath, the 'plane running on its automatic pilot and steered by wireless beam. The only fault was that these machines had a slight continual yaw when being piloted by the automatic device.

This was owing to the single rudder not being in line with the engine. This yaw became fairly violeut in rough air as it was approaching New York. Most qf the passengers were feeling the offeots of it and only just lasted out.