ATLANTIC FLIGHTS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 296, 13 September 1927, Page 9

ATLANTIC FLIGHTS

SEASON CONSIDERED TOO LATE FOR FURTHER ATTEMPTS THIS YEAR COURTNEY ABANDONS EFFORT Owing to the exceptionally bad weather conditions and the lateness of the season, the opinion is held in England that further . transatlantic flights should not be attempted this year. In consequence, Captain Courtney has abandoned his flight, and Levine has postponed his until next year. BY TELEGRAPH.— I’RESp ASSOCIATION.— Copyright Rugby, September 10. The “Westminster Gazette,” largely under whose auspices Captain Courtney was attempting his westward transatlantic flight, has telegraphed to Captain Courtney pt Corunna, stating that,, in view of the exceptional weather conditions, the lateness of the season, and the heavy loss of life which has occurred in the course of recent attempts to fly the Atlantic, it is definitely of opinion that such attempts this year should cease. The “Westminster Gazette” wishes Captain Courtney to understand that, so far as this newspaper is concerned, he should consider himself free from any obligation to continue. The Anglo-American Oil Company' and Napier and Son, who were also interested in Captain Courtney’s flight, have signified entire approval of the newspaper’s action. UNJUSTIFIABLE RISK OF LIFE. In its columns to-dav the “Westminster Gazette” says that it definitely considers that the present position is one from which any aviator concerned can retire with honour, and that further attempts to fly the Atlantic this year involve an absolutely unjustifiable risk of human life. Apart from this the country cennot afford to lose some of its best pilots. Captain Courtney has encountered remarkable ill-fortune. Long delays were occasioned by difficulties in connection with equipment which was considered essential by the promoters of the flight in order that it might- be of definite value to aviation and not a mere showv leap across the oceafi. These delays, some of which occurred by the irony of circumstances during favourable weather conditions, were responsible for the postponement of the attempt to a very late season of the year, when weather difficulties became greatly multiplied. WRONG TYPE OF MACHINES USED. This year’s Atlantic flying disasters arc the subject of leading articles in most newspapers this morning. Opinion is generally expressed that these disasters make it clear that the wrong type of machine lias been used, and that the land machine is unsuitable for Atlantic flying. That the Atlantic can be flown was proved as far back as June 15, 1919, when the British airmen, Alcock and Brown, accomplished the feat, but recent events have emphasised the influence which weather exerts. What is wanted is safe flying in any weather conditions. The viewpoint of the Air Ministry is that every effort should now be concentrated upon the development of the large flving-boat of metal, its power plant distributed over a number of separate engines, and capable of carrying an ample reserve of fuel. Such a machine, in the very improbable event of its being forced to alight through mechanical trouble, would be so staunchly built that it wpuld be able to float sufficiently long, even in a rough sea, for its occupants to be rescued. The craft would also be fitted with a powerful (tireless set, enabling touch to be maintained with ships and shore stations.—British Official Wireless.

(Rec. September 12, 7 p.m.) London, September 12. Courtney has abandoned his Atlantic flight.

PRESSURE BROUGHT TO BEAR ON LEVINE • London, September 11. Owing to the recent losses of Atlantic fivers, strong pressure is being brought to hear on Levine to abandon his proposed flight. A wide Press controversy is also proceeding on the question as to whether it is worth while to undertake the risks. Levinc replies that somebody has got to be the pioneer and risk or lose lives. “I say emphatical-

ly,” he declared, “it is worth while. My heart is set on going to America. If the weather gives us half a 1 chance we will go.” Mr. H. Day, M.P. (Lab.), will ask the Prime Minister (Mr. Baldwin) , on the resumption of Parliament, in view of the unnecessary risk of life, if he will consider the introduction of legislation to prohibit the financing of and participating in flights with the obiect of crossing the Atlantic from Britain. (Rec. September 12, 7 p.m.) London, September 11. Levine has abandoned his flight to America till 1928. PRIDE OF DETROIT FORCED TO LAND NEAR NAGASAKI Tokio, September 11. The American monoplane Pride of Detroit, piloted by the airmen Bronck ad Schlee, was forced to land near Nagasaki through shortage of petrol, due to divergence from course. ROOKE ABANDONS FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA Delhi, September 11. Rooke has abandoned his flight to Australia owing to difficulties and delays in securing a new machine.— AT.A. aud “Sun.” AUSTRALIAN FLIGHT Seattle, September 9. Mr. C. T. P. Ulin, advance representative here, is making preliminary arrangements lor a flight to Australia by Captain Kingsford-Smith and _ Lieutenant Anderson, who arc coming soon from Sau Francisco. INTERNATIONAL BALLOON RACE Detroit, September 11. An international balloon race started on Saturday in the direction of the Atlantic. Spain, England,' aud Switzerland have entered one balloon each, Italv, France, and Belgium two, the United States and Germany three each. FIVE BALLOONS DOWN (Rec. September 12, 10.45 p.m.) Vancouver, September 12. A Detroit message states that five balloons in the international race came down on Sunday night. They were Belgian, Swiss, German, United States Army and French entries.—A.P.A. and “Sun.”