PACIFIC FLIGHTS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 147, 18 March 1937, Page 11

PACIFIC FLIGHTS

Three Planes to Start on Same Day

SURVEY CLIPPER SHIP Mrs. Putnam to Take Off Also By Telegraph.--Press Assn.—Copyright. (Received .March 17, 11.5 p.m.) San Francisco, March 16. The Pan-American Airways clipper ship, on its survey flight to New Zealand. will start to-morrow. Mrs. Amelia Earhart Putnam will also begin tier flight to-morrow. The weather forecaster announced that (lie storm is clearing rapidly, but that planes might encounter northerly crosswinds. Pan-American Airways announced that the Hawaii clipper, which has been delayed for several days, will also start, which will mean that three planes will be crossing the Pacific. Airway officials said this would tax the communication facilities, but believed an acceptable schedule could be arranged due to the varying cruising speeds of the planes. That of the New Zealand clipper is 155 miles, the Hawaii clipper 140, and Mrs. Putnam’s plane ISO to 190. The three will follow the same route to Honolulu.

ADVICE IN AUCKLAND

Mr. Gatty Discusses Plans

By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, March 17. A private cable message received at Auckland this afternoon states: “PanAmerican Clipper takes off Wednesday (to-day) from San Francisco. Expected arrive Auckland Tuesday.” Mr. Harold Gatty, the company’s representative in New Zealand, interviewed, sai dbe had no received definite news relating to the time of departure and the time of arrival at Auckland was dependent upon the weather conditions and the time spent at bases for purposes of investigation. Mr. Gatty said that there were many aspects of the proposed service that could not be discussed until the survey flight had been completed, the route proved practical and arrangements made for a regular service. Such matters as schedules, fares, permanent accommodation and headquarters in Auckland and the number of passengers and weight of mail and cargo to be carried were all for future consideration. The important matter of surcharge on mail was not one for his company’s decision but for arrangement between the interested Governments.

“Flying with us is a commercial undertaking, and in no sense a stunt, or even an adventure,” Mr. Gatty continued. Every possible precaution was taken to ensure safe, regular and swift transport, but it was never the policy of the company to place any aspect ahead of that of safety. In any case, with air transport so much faster than other means, they could well afford to be extra careful and take no chances with the weather and still give much, more rapid service. All the skill of the radio expert, meteorologist and engineer were at the disposal of the company and upon their work, coupled with the use of the finest materials for machines and the choice of veteran pilots of seasoned judgment, had been built an exceutional safety record.

Ground organisation in Auckland is being completed as rapidly as possible at the request of tlie Pan-American Airways representatives at present in Auckland. The Auckland Harbour Board made preparations for the provision of moorings for a landiug barge between King’s Wharf and the Devonport vehicular ferry landing. It is possible that the moorings will be laid to-morrow and that the barge will be towed into position shortly afterward.