TRANS-ATLANTIC AIR SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 250, 19 July 1937, Page 10

TRANS-ATLANTIC AIR SERVICE

Problem Not Yet Solved

(Received July IS, 11.55 p.m ) New York, July 18. The Pan-American clipper arrived at Botwood, Newfoundland, from Ireland at 6.49 a.m. on Friday. The crossing took 16 hours 28 minutes. Captain Gray, in a copyright message to the North American Newspaper Alliance, stated that despite the highly satisfactory nature of both crossings the problem of the establishment of a trans-Atlantic service was.far from solved, due to the variable weather conditions. More than one route must be flown and surveyed. “We are not able to give a satisfactorily glowing picture of what flying the Atlantic is like,’’ he said. “That will come later when the Atlantic represents a course instead of a'mathematical problem.” PILOTS CONGRATULATED (British Official Wireless.! Rugby, July 17. Messages of congratulation received by the pilots of the flying-boats Caledonia and Clipper 111 on the successful completion of their double flight of the Atlantic included telegrams from the Secretary of State for Air, Viscount Swinton. Exceptionally fine weather favoured the flights, and an almost dead calm prevailed over the Atlantic, the average head wind encountered by the Clipper on her westward voyage not exceeding 5 m.p.h. Iler lime from Foynes, Ireland, to Botwood, Newfoundland, was 16 hours 24 minutes. The Caledonia’s voyage in the opposite direction was accomplished in 12 hours ‘ 7 minutes.

It is understood that a double crossing will take place on July 29. According to present plans, the Imperial Airways flying-boat. Cambria will be engaged on that occasion. Later on in the year the Caledonia will make another flight.