AVIATION.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19888, 27 March 1930, Page 11

AVIATION.

NEW ZEALAND FLYERS. TRANS-AUSTRALIA TRIP. (united peesa association —bt electbio • TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT.) DARWIN, March 26. Flying-Officers C. Kaye and H. L. Piper left at seven this morning for Newcastle, Brunnette Downs, and Camooweal. TO REACH SYDNEY ON SUNDAY. (Received March 26th, 9.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, March 26. The Shell Company advises that the ■ New Zealand airmen, Flying Officers Piper and Kaye, have planned to arrive at Sydney on Sunday. AIR FORCE MACHINE CRASHES. TWO OFFICERS KILLED. LONDON, March 25. A Viekers Virginia bomber landing after a night flight, crashed at Worthydown, Flying-Officer E. R. White and Pilot-Officer P. J. Pratt being kilted. Squadron-Leader A. S. Allerton was ■ dangerously injured, and two aircraftsmen were slightly injured. THREE PEOPLE DEAD. MACHINE CRASHES AND BURSTS INTO FLAMES. VANCOUVER, March 25. A pilot and two passengers were burned to deatb when an aeroplane owned by Wallace Beery, the screen actor, went into a tail-spin 500 ft above Alhambra suburb, near Los Angeles, and crashed into a field with a terrific impact, bursting into flames. Beery's pilot, the latter's wife, and another pilot were in the machine, which was a cabin biplane. The actor was not aboard. A spluttering motor caused the aeroplane to lose altitude. Motorists who rushed to the scene when the machine struck, could see the bodies behind * wall of flame. Rescue was impossible. BRITISH RESEARCH WORK. THE AUTOGYRO FLYING-BOAT. (BBXTISH OIHCUL WIRELESS.) RUGBY, March 25. When the Air Estimates were considered on the report stage, Sir Samuel Hoare (Air Minister in the late Conservative Government) put a number of questions. Ho said he did not wish to enter into any controversy as to whether the Government's decision not to compete again for the Schneider Trophy was wise or not, but he wished to know whether experiments were still being made with high-speed machines. He also wished to know what had been done with regard to autogyro machines. Mr F. Montague (Under-Secretary for Air), replying, said the Air Ministry realised the importance of research • work regarding high-speed flights. This would go on at Felixstowe, where the high-speed officers had their posts, and they woijld carry out, with the aid of the Gloucester maohines which took part in the Schneider Cup contest, further research work which wouW be as valuable as the work done previous to that race. The autogyro flying-boat was still under development, and a new autogyro boat would probably be ordered in 1930, to embody all the experience obtained up to date. For a great many service purposes, however, a flying-boat oi that description would hardly be suitable. The new types of flying-boats included a boat heavier than the Southampton, which had been introduced into the service. With regard to gliders, Mr Montague believed the principal requirement for their development was an up-current of air, and this country was not so suitable for flying them as was Germany or other places on the Continent. In regard to the International pooling of ideas of research, this principle had been carried out. The Aeronautical Research Committee of the United States of America had been in close touch with this country, and the development of the airship RlOl was carried through to a great extent in close touch with airship development and airship experience in other countries, especially in Germany. A HOLIDAY CRUISE. OWNER-FLYERS TO PARTICIPATE. LONDON, March 25. Aviation history will be made at Easter, when 20 light aeroplanes piloted by owner-flyers, will leave London on a 3000-mile holiday cruise of Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Holland The party will be accompanied by a machine carrying spare parts, and later another aeroplane will join them carrying clean underclothes, as it will be necessary to keep the luggage to the smallest limits. The expenses for the ten days' are expected to amount to £65 each. The pilots Will carry special telegraph forms, written in the language of the various countries flown over. The telegrams reoall the field cards of the war time.. They contain a list of likely mishaps, such as "petrol shortage," 'Jbroken propeller," or "please send relief aeroplane with spares." AUSTRALIAN FLYERS' PROGRESS SYDNEY, March 26. The aviators, D. Smith and W. Shiers, went astray after leaving Cloncurry. They are now at Kamilaroi, near Mount Isa, an 3 will continue their ; trip to-morrow. I