TASMAN FLIGHT.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19202, 7 January 1928, Page 13

TASMAN FLIGHT.

START PROBABLE TO-MORROW.

GREYMOUTH LIKELY LANDING

PLACE.

fßr CAMS-PRESS ASSOCIATION-COMrMGHT.) (AMELIAS AN» SA CABLB ASSOCIATION.)

(Received January Cth, 8.20 p.m.)

SYDNEY, January 6,

The New Zealand aviators have completed all preparations for their flight, and are only awaiting favourable weather conditions to- make a start. They realise the element of risk in crossing 1450 miles over the Tasman Sea in a pioneer flight, even under the most auspicious circumstances, and are determined not to take any foolhardy risks. They are hopeful of getting away early on Sunday morning, but will onlv start then if the weather is perfect "for flying. They are leaving in the early morning, so as to utilise the maximum amount of daylight. It is not yet decided whether Captain Eight or Lieutenant Hood will accompany Lieutenant Moncrieff. Two pilots will take turns at the joystick, and for two hour spells each will have control of the 'plane while the other Whether the machine makes direct for Wellington will not be decided till half-way across the Tasman Sea, when bearings will be taken and a course set for either Wellington or Greymouth, the proposed alternative landing place. The machine has been- put through every possible test> and the flyers are confident that it will prove equal to what it is required to do. Captain Kight, interviewed by a Press Association representative, strongly sWessed the.point that he wished the public both in New Zealand and Australia to understand that there was nothing whatever in the way of a stunt or of gaining personal kudos about the flight, which was being undertaken at much personal inconvenience and financial risk, having received very small public support. ■ The journey-was being undertaken, with : the wider national objective of creating a deeper interest-in the pressing question of the value of aerial defence in the Pacific zone and of drawing into closer relationship the peoples of New Zealand and Australia in their commercial and other .interests,. . thereby welding stronger links in the great Empire unity ideal.