FLYING TESTS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18968, 5 April 1927, Page 8

FLYING TESTS.

MACHINES CROSS ALPS. TO GREYMOUTH AND BACK IN TWO HOURS. [THE PKESS Special Service.] WELLINGTON, April 4. Aeroplanes usually announce their presence, but, according to a statement made to-day by the Minister for Defence (the Hon. Mr Rolleston), on four or, live occasions in March machines passed over Greymouth and riokitika apparently without tho townspeople being any the wiser. In view of the arrival at the Wigrain Aerodrome of the Dominion's new aeroplane, the Minister was asked whether he could supply any information regarding the refresher courses held recently at the aerodrome. Mr llolleston replied that altogether five courses were held, and about 40 men took part in them, some of them taking two courses each. It has already been mentioned that advantage was taken of the courses to secure data as to air currents, etc., on behalf of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research for meteorological purposes, and in that connexion the Minister said that the pilots were told to rise to 300 feet and fly at that level for 15 minutes, and to 6000 feet, and remain at that level for 15 minutes, and similarly at 9000 and 12,000 feet, and if the pilot so desired he could rise to 15,000 feet, flying thus in a succession of steps. Many of the machines went in the direction of the Southern Alps, and on at least four or five occasions during March machines actually crossed the Alps and went as far as Greymouth and Hokitika, passing directly over those towns at heights of from 1000 to 15,000 feet, apparently without the townspeople being aware of their presence. One machine flew from the Wigram Aerodrome as far as Greymouth, and was back at the Aerodrome in well under two hours.