AIR RACES AND "RECORDS."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 236, 5 October 1936, Page 6

AIR RACES AND "RECORDS."

The record of the competing 'planes in the Johannesburg air race is a bad advertisement for aviation. Nine machines started from Portsmouth, but only one completed the course. Two men were killed and at least three 'planes were destroyed. It is improbable J that the experience of the competitors has taught aeroplane designers, manufacturers, navigators or public anything that they did not know before. But if the gains are not evident, the losses are clear. Apart from the toll of human life, the greatest loss is to "regular" aviation. 'Planes flying in commercial passenger services may cover thousands of miles a week without mishap or incident of any kind (as they do in New Zealand), and their achievement goes unnotic d. But the whole world learns in a few hours of the accidents and hairbreadth escapes in a race, and inevitably the impression left is that flying is a dangerous occupation in which even the most skilful pilots risk their lives. To create such an impression is to do poor service to aviation.

The passion for making and breaking "records" should also be encouraged to die. Men such as Kingsford Smith, Lindbergh and Wiley-Post were true pioneers, and the world will be long in forgetting their achievements, but the pioneering stage of aviation is over. It is sufficient to know that men can fly from England to Melbourne in three days, and cross the Atlantic in one day; it is unnecessary to have a demonstration that other men, in more modern 'planes, can reduce the time by a few hours. New Zealanders just now are interested in the proposal of Miss Jean Batten to fly home from England, but they must regret the report that she intends to attempt to "set up a record." Her exceptional qualifications as a pilot need no further "record" to advertise them. Solo flying to Australia, particularly when the monsoon season is approaching, is a severe strain on the pilot, and that strain is increased to the danger point if the pilot is compelled (or compels herself) always to think in terms of time to be saved or "made up." Aucklanders will be glad to welcome one whose achievements have already had international recognition, but their respect for Miss Batten will be deepened if she should decide to study safety before speed. J