FLIGHT OVER TASMAN

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 232, 26 June 1940, Page 8

FLIGHT OVER TASMAN

Enjoyed By Woman 72 Years Of Age

AWARUA AT AUCKLAND

tßy I c t’li'ss Association, i AUCKLAND, June 25.

The oldest person to cross the Tasman by air, a 72-year-old Auckland resident, Mrs. E. L. Tappenden, was a passenger on the flying-boat Awarua on its flight from Sydney to Auckland today. Officials also consider it probable that Mrs. Tappenden, who was accompanied on the trip by her son, Mr. R. G. Tappenden, is one of the,most elderly women to make a long transocean flight, at least on any of the Empire routes.

It was not Mrs. Tappenden’s first experience of air travel. On a number of occasions she had been a passenger in Moth machines piloted by her son in New Zealand, but she had never before made a flight of such length. Throughout the 1300-mile journey she was delighted with the swiftness and ease of travel and the comfort and facilities provided for passengers in the flying-boat. After reaching Auckland, she said that she would look forward to another opportunity to make the trip.

The Awarua, which was commanded by Captain Garden, was scheduled to leave Sydney for Auckland on Thursday, but her departure was advanced by two days at the request of the New Zealand Government.

The flying-boat took off from Sydney at 4 a.m. local time and landed at Auckland shortly after 2 o’clock. The flight was for the most part at an altitude of 9000 ft. and head winds were encountered for about half the journey. In addition to Mr. and Mrs. Tappenden, Mrs. E. Bland was a passenger. A relatively small quantity of mail and about 701 b. of freight were carried.