READY FOR RETURN TO PAGO PAGO

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22057, 3 April 1937, Page 14

READY FOR RETURN TO PAGO PAGO

DEPARTURE EARLY THIS MORNING AUCKLAND, April 2. After a stay of a little more than three days in Auckland, the PanAmerican clipper flying-boat was all in readiness late to-night to take off at 4 o’clock in the morning for Pago Pago on the first stage of its return survey flight across the Pacific. When it returned from to-day’s flight the giant flying-boat was given over to the attention of members of the crew and mechanics, who toiled well into •the evening getting everything in readiness for the flight of 1850 miles, which will begin before dawn. Weather reports received by the company’s experts indicated that reasonably satisfactory conditions were likely to be experienced on the run to Pago Pago. Wireless weather reports and navigational aids will be made available for the clipper from both Auckland and Pago Pago for to-mor-row’s flight. Most of the members of the crew retired early to-night to obtain a few hours’ sleep before setting out on the return journey. TIME-TABLE OF FLIGHT WELLINGTON, April 2. The time-table of the clipper flyingboat on the flight from Auckland this morning was as follows;-*-Left Auckland at 7.49 am. on a flight down the East Coast with the intention of visiting Wellington if the weather permitted. The aeroplane at 9 a.m. was south-east of Opotiki; and 10 minutes later was over Gisborne. At 9.25 a.m. she passed W airoa - She was over Napier at 9.55 am., and over Hastings at 10.2 am. There she turned north, and at 10.50 am. was near -Tauranga. At 11.20 a.m. she was approaching Auckland via the Firth of Thames. Auckland was sighted at 11.36 am., and a final message at 11.43 a.m. reSorted that the clipper was winding i her aerial preparatory to landing.