“EPIC PERFORMANCE”

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 81, 30 December 1935, Page 10

“EPIC PERFORMANCE”

Pioneering Cook Strait Air Route FIRST CROSSING FEAT (By W. H. Bickt.et.) Days when an aeroplane flight across Cook Strait was a nine days' wonder in the land are recalled by the fact that an aerial passenger and freight service lias been established to serve Wellington, Nelson and Blenheim. Reflection on (lie excitement the first aerial crossing caused emphasises the advance in aeroplane performance in recent years, so that a flight, regarded as phenomenal a decade or so ago is now quite commonplace. 'The first flight across Cook Strait was made by Captain Euan Dieksou, D.S.C.. D.F.C.. Croix de Guerre, whose early Hights in the South Island were as notable in their time as those of Flight Lieutenant G. B. Bolt from Auckland. Captain Dickson, who had studied engineering at the Sheffield University and served in the Royal Naval Air Service, was chief pilot to the Canterbury Aviation Co., which, like the New Zealand Flying School in Auckland, trained New Zealanders as pilots for war. After the war the company endeavoured to use its equipment and personnel in commercial aviation. The attempt failed, but in its course the company sponsored several notable flights, most of them made by Captain Dickson. The company used Avro aud D.H. machines of war-time designs, and in an Avro Captain Dickson made an aerial tour embracing Ashburton, Timaru, Waiinate, Oamaru, Dunedin, Gore, Balclutha and Milton, giving exhibitions of “stunting” and taking passengers for "joy rides” in each town. Many New Zealanders made their first ascents in that machine, cheerfully paying £2/2/- for 10 minutes aloft. Hundreds in each town forfeited a shilling quite readily for the privilege of entering the ground to see the machine close up. The Canterbury Aviation Co. also maintained a regular mail and passenger service between Christchurch aud Timaru, calling at Ashburton, for about two months, and the inaugural flight on this service was made by Captain Dickson. Actually this service was very efficient, being maintained io time-table except on two days. The charge for mail carriage was so high, however, that few considered it worth while to use air transport for such short distances, and on most days the mails were very small and on at least five days no letters were carried. “A Significant Event.” The Cook Strait crossing on August 25. 1920, however, attracted far more attention than anything that had been done in flying in New Zealand. Newspapers devoted columns to describing it, with interviews with the pilot, a description of the machine and au outline of the career of the flyer. Thb flight was even referred to in the House of Representatives. Mr. W. S. Glenn, the 1905 All Black, drew the attention of members to the first aeroplane trip from oue island to the other, and said it would have an important bearing on the development of air mail services. The late Rt. Hou. W. F. Massey said it was “undoubtedly a significant event in the history of the country,” and the Hon. J. G. Coates, after referring to the war record of the pilot, described him as “a pioneer in the .cause of progressive aviation.” The pilot received hundreds of telegrams of congratulation from all parts of the country. In these days, when aero club pilots make scores of crossings every year, hardly as much excitement would be caused by a flight of the Tasman. Captain Dickson flew from Christchurch, calling at Kaikoura and Blenheim. Air. C. H. Hewlett, of Christchurch, deputy-chairman of directors of the Canterbury Aviation Co., aud Mr. J. E. Moore, the company’s ground engineer, were passengers in the Avro, which left Blenheim at 1 o’clock aud landed at Treutham at 2.15, after circling Wellington, where the appearance of the machine drew hundreds into the streets to stare and wonder. It was currently reported that Captain Dickson just beat Captain R. Russell for the honour of being the first to fly Cook Strait. Captain Russell, who was later killed iu a crash at New Plymouth, was one of the pilots of Walsh Bros, and Dexter, the partnership which controlled the New Zealand Flying School, and was at Hutt Park with an Avro, it. being generally understood that he was waiting for favourable weather for a flight to Blenheim. Captain Dickson, incidentally, made bis flight in defiance of a warning by Mr. D. C. Bates, the Government Meteorologist, that, there was “a dual disturbance” in the weather. Publication of this information, however, merely enhanced his prestige, and for some time afterward all published references to him described him as "the famous birdman” or “the intrepid airmar ” When Engines ’Tacked Up.” Perhaps there was some daring iu making a water crossing by air in those days. Aeroplane engines were not the marvels of mechanical sturdiness aud reliability that they are to-day-in fact. it. was not unknown for a pilot engaged on a "joy-ridiug” tour to send u spare engine ahead to the next calling place in ease the one iu use broke down. Forced landings through engine trouble, now rare, were by uo means uncommon then. Flight Lieutenant J. C. .Mercer, who is now operating au amazingly successful air passenger and mail service in South Westland, made cue of the earliest crossings of Cook Strait, ami he has since confessed in public that when he was half-way across he was so thankful that nothing untoward bad happened up to then that he “put her nose down and w ent f<> r it” in the sheer joy "f relief. He landed on the libaeli nl Lyall Ba.'. Mr. W. F. Parke, who attempted a crossing on the same day, had to turn back because of engine trouble, mid the following day lie practically willed his machine across ou a rickety’ engine, which functioned just long enough for him to land on the beach, where the plane was almost immediately blown over on its back.

Captain Phil Fowler, now of Palmerston North, made the first passenger flight from Wellington to Nelson, in November, 1921, Ids passenger in an Avro being Mr. T. Newman, of Nelson. Captain Dickson made his return crossing on August 28, 1920, leaving Trentliaiii at 3.20 p.m. and arriving at Blenheim til. 4.25. At Blenheim and Kaikoura crowds assemble', to cheer the conqueror of the strait, and (lie populace received him with the ontbusiashi usually reserved lor victorious veterans returning from the wars when he reached Christchurch. FoS

years afterward tlie “Air Annual of the British Empire” listed three flights as notable pioneering efforts iu New Zealand, and the first of these was Captain Dii’kson’e crossing of Cook Strait. Wben the Canterbury Aviation Co. gave tip commercial aviation and the aerodrome at Sockbtirn was taken over by the Government. Captain Dickson forsook the air. lb? is now in business iu Auckland. He has not. however, lost ids interest iu flying aud was oue of the foundation members and had a place on the first committee of tlie Auckland Aero Club. Perhaps some day he wilt fly as a passenger on the service we are to have across Cook Strait. If he does, the contrast between the D.H. Rapide of today, seating six passengers and cruising at 140 miles an hour, with its two Gipsy motors giving a fine reserve of power and wide safety factor with their ■lOO borse-power, assisted by such helpful aids to safe flying as wireless telegraphy, meteorological reports and formed aerodromes, and the Avro of bis time, with room for three and an economic speed of about 70 miles an hour from a single T.<: Rhone engine of 110 horse power, w ill probably cause even sueli tin old hand at the game ns lie is Io rcaiise that, after all, he really did do something rather notable when he flew Cppk Strait on August 25,1920. i