LEAP FROM 'PLANE

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 134, 8 June 1936, Page 5

LEAP FROM 'PLANE

PARACHUTIST'S DROP.

SIGHT FROM THE AIR

PLENTY OF NERVE REQUIRED I

Seen only from the ground, a parachutist's leap into space from the wing of an aeroplane is a breath-taking 6ight; been from another 'plane at equal altitude, it is almost unbelievable —something out of a had dream rather than a daylight fact.

At somewhere about twice the height bf Rangitoto, when the houses below fere mere toys and motor cars look like those shiny little beetles that gardeners hate, the passenger who is enjoying his first 10/ worth of aeronautical experience begins to have a wholesome respect lor his pilot. When the 'plane banks steeply in a turn, the newcomer to the air sets his mind consciously and deliberately to cultivating a childlike faith in the man at the controls. That is the *fflly alternative to shutting one's eyes and missing a sight well worth watchfag. For, as the 'plane turns, the voice the pilot comes through the speaking tube, "See there —over to the right." The blood-red Moth which we saw taking off from Mangere aerodrome ■when we were a few hundred feet up has reached our altitude —about 1500 ft, and is flying on the same course about 100 yards away. A figure, clad in "white overalls, is climbing out of the forward cockpit, and having a bit of a Btruggle, too, hampered as he is by two 901b parachutes, one on his back and one on his chest. Since FlyingOfficer "Scotty" Frascr was killed in Wellington through his parachute failing to open, the Government has insisted that two be carried. Leap From The Wing. Now he is out on the wing, clinging tightly to a strut against the pluck of the 60-mile an hour gale. "I wouldn't tiale out like that for quids," comes the pilot's voice, "nor would any of our fhaps," This from a man who loops

the loop and does the "falling leaf" and such things without turning a hair. It is just as well that his passenger has seen him do these things, and can therefore feel confident that lie will not be too much upset by what is coming. Foi tli© white figure, who is Mr. G. W. Sellars, of Balclutha, is waiting only until he judges that he is sufficiently far to windward of the aerodrome to drift down to it. A few minutes on the wing and then —the white figure is falling,"falling. His rigid body turns over and over. Now he is dropping feet first, now he is diving headlong. Still no parachute appears. Our 'plane is now diving steeply in pursuit of hiin, but, going earthwards, a man travels faster even than a 'plane, with an everincreasing speed. This is Mr. Sellars forty-second descent since he obtained his parachutist's license at Wigram two years ago —but 42 is a good honest number, with no ill-repute in superstition. This descent will surely be a safe one. It is. A long white banner unfurls behind the plunging figure. It opens out, as if a great mushroom had suddenly sprung into being between heaven and earth. The swift drop towards earth is checked, although the white figure, dangling from a web of cords, swings like the bob of a pendulum. Drops Into Paddock. During those few seconds of swift descent," earth has come nearer by several hundred feet. Now that the parachute is open, the 'plane is the faster, and we can circle round it until it drops into a paddock adjacent to the aerodrome. For a few minutes, the white figure lies apparently motionless with the parachute spread out along the ground. They look like an exclamation mark done in chalk on the green grass. He is releasing himself from the 'chute before he stands up, else he would only be pulled over by the wind. Within a few minutes he is on the way back to the 'drome, surrounded by excited small boys who, at least, provide some sort of a screen between his blushes and the enthusiastic applause of the crowd of Sunday visitors.