ANOTHER TASMAN FLIGHT.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20199, 30 March 1931, Page 11

ANOTHER TASMAN FLIGHT.

CHICHESTER'S SECRET START.

AIRMAN BEACHES NORFOLK ISLAND. CONTINUATION OF JOURNEY DELAYED. The first stage of another flight across the Tasm&n Sea Has been completed. Mr P. O. Chichester, who had kept his plans very secret, hopped off on Saturday la a Moth aeroplane from the Hobson* * Tille air base, Auckland, . and after a call at Parengarenga, near the North Oape, continued his journey to Norfolk island, where he landed safely.

It was Mr Chichester's intention to continue yesterday to Lord Howe Island, where he proposes to, .make a stop prior to; commencing the last stage of the flight to Sydney; but apparently bis departure from Norfolk Island has been de>- ■ * layed till to-day. It is stated that the'airman, who is well known for his flight from England to Australia in 1929, will , fly to Japan after reaching Australia, and thence by way of Alaska across Amozlcar making for Britain, via Greenland. Cnwss IBBOCUTIOS tSUtOBAHS.) , AUCKLAND, March 29. . A sensation was created in Auckland' yesterday when it became .known that Mr V. C. Chichester had set out'secret* Iy in a Moth aeroplane on a flight to Sydney, via Norfolk Island and fibrd Howe Island. Mr Chichester has reached Norfolk Island safely. The Moth had been specially fitted with floats. Wireless < apparatus was also installed, so thai the progress made could be reported. / It was 6.50 yesterday morning when Mr Chichester left the Hobfionville- air base, his departure being known to very few. He flew first to Parenga* renga, where lie ■ took on, further fuelj and at 11.80 o'clock he Set out off.,hid great adventure. He expected to reach Norfolk" Island at five o'clock/ and did so almost to the minute,- his achievement flying direct to' an island only twelve mile's square" being » triumph .in aerial navigation. . Pot four hours he flew with the add of the compass only. ' ■ •The airman received ■a, great.- reception at Norfolk. Island. , His wireless messages were receive dwell in Auckland in the early stages of the night;, but they became fainter later. The fact that tfce .fliiht was to be attempted was kept a close secret' ■*> few weeks ago it was announfeM.'' thati s Mr Chichester meant to essay thr trip-1 —the first solo crossing to west—but Whoa questioned? on ocoasion he refused' either to rfto or During the past week Mr Chichester quietly Began his v. . prebaMraons,', His MothmacMne hauled, floats vew fitted, a iaoio bot was installed, and everything ( was ready, for the, big effort. There was considerable eicitejne&t *at renga .when'-"the "Were mfonnea of the airman's plana. * He .was given every* assistance/'Mr Chichester. rj& BxpreueatWi success ox, his twrtutp, ana ier* iw» wen: messages , for i. M. Isitt. ; ' ' The preparations for the flight were actually completed on IWday, when a test of the machine carrying its- «ui| load of 1t431b was made with .tory Results. Mr Chichester at JPareuiferenga the report of the ' Government Meteorologist, Dr. B. B3dsonjat the/special request of SquadronLeader Isitt, who did all in hie power to eiwuri thatihe airman took no wbedless risks. ' J'rior to tho ,aiert, Mr Chichester christened the xtaachlne with a bottle of brandy. . x < Call at Parengawfnga. , At £arengarenga, .ihe airman found the anchor too light, and secured, _ a heavier one. Shortly after Parengarenga he reported:—'Cleared the; lans; all well." •; %ht^to ( , Norfolk Island was completed witaon* incident. . „ - 1 . The same machine as M J» the flieht from England to Australia at the ß end of aeroplane is a standard D.H. Motii of modem construction, the' engine the normal »0&$, nj fitted to all tooths. JWjr » : fications, apart from-tha floats, were mifttf, chi*?3r date extra petrol tanks. little attempt was made to ,obtain I powef.from the *ag£B,jm>lwws . 100 horse power-at its I ing the past few weeks, the tad been taken>W and overhauled, and test -Jlfelgg* to taking off it Shaved total fuel carried was igjjrj diving ten, hours', tange of about 750 .mifcss under noma! eondi* sextant, a set tables, a toll «et of and othei data necessity to enalble Mr Chichester to work out hia .posnwn from time to "time.

departure DELAYED. . several attempts made. CrJHHM inosuKUl firaaaA*.) j ' WELLINGTON, Maroh, 39. secretary of till# General Pos* Office to-day received the folloving message regarding-Mr F. ter:—■- , ' * ; "Chibheerter arrived. at NorfoLK, Island at 4.46 He made several attempts;*® . 8«? away to-day, but a choppy sea and trouble witJtJbis etoguae, , -floats the departure >aft delayed. 5 Advice received bv an amateur vif®" less operator f pom Norfolk Island stated that Mr Chichester was very _ tiwd when he arrived' at Norfolk Island. He left his machine, out in tne open roadstead. 'Hfeiham a quick refuel. The local faculties for refuelling were -not oompleted unt» after dark on Saturday. Mr Chxchester waa the teuest .of the Adminwfcrator,. Oolonpl Bennett. He intended ". leave at 8 o'clock-on but if unable to leave he inteziaea .tp postpone biß departure unsu Monday. Mr Chiohester'a<'oftll sign is ZS AK.. He .reporter Boon tw> > New. Zfea&hJ coast th*t*he had * 24r vital hwad fefaa* { " \r,y,'r < '''