ATLANTIC FLIGHTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 160, 8 July 1937, Page 7

ATLANTIC FLIGHTS.

Experiences on Two-Way

Crossings.

PILOTS' IMPRESSIONS

NEW YORK, Julv 7

In an interview with a representative of the "New York Times" the pilot of the British transatlantic flying boat Caledoni;-. Captain A. F. Wilcockson, on arrival at Botwood, Newfoundland, said the weather conditions "were not so good." Host of the way there were low clouds, drizzle and head winds. Therefore he was delighted with the short time of the trip.

Captain Wilcockson said he used 1700 gallons of petrol. There were perfect conditions as the flying boat approached Newfoundland.

A message to the North American Newspaper Alliance from the pilot of the Pan-American Clipper, Captain Grey, which landed at Foynes yesterday, said: "The sight of Ireland was' really welcome. We were not tired. The flight from Newfoundland had been entirely pleasant. During the first part the going was remarkable, with smooth skies and a clear atmosphere.

,- We checked our hearings with the Caledonia as she passed <>o miles from us. After that we met rain which became soupy and grey and we depended upon our instruments for obtaining our bearings from nine steamers. When we were 100 miles from Ireland the clouds broke for our landing."'

WINTER ROUTE

SERVICE VIA BERMUDA. British Official Wireless. (.Received 12 noon.) RUGBY. July 7. Imperial Airways' Caledonia will proceed to-morrow from Botwood to Montreal, thence to Xew York, and the Aimerican Clipper will fly to-morrow from Foynes to Southampton. The Caledonia covered the transatlantic journey at an air speed of 102 miles an hour, and both pilots agree that the passage in no sense Mas difficult. Nevertheless. the IrelandNewfoundland route during winter is often stormy and the pinn is to divert aircraft to tlip southerly route via the Azores and Bermuda at such times.

Trial flights between Bermuda and Newfoundland are already being conducted by Imperial Airways and PanAmerican Airwavs.