ALL READY

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 5, 7 January 1928, Page 14

ALL READY

GOOD WEATHER AWAITED (United Press Association.—Copyright.! SYDNEY, 6th January. The New Zealand aviators have completed all preparations for their flight, and are only awaiting favourable weather conditions to make the start. They realise the element of risk in crossing 1400 miles over the Tasman Sea in a pioneer flight, even under the most auspicious circumstances, and are determined not to take any foolhardy risks. They are leaving early in the morning so as to utilise, the maximum amount of daylight. It has not yet been decided whether Captain Kight or Captain Hood will accompany Lieutenant Moncrieff. The two pilots will take turns at the "joystick," and for two-hour spells each will have control of the airplane while tho other rest's. The machine has been put through every possible test, and the fliers are confident it will prove equal to what it is required to do. Captain Kight, interviewed by a Press Association representative, strongly stressed the point that he wished tho public, both in New Zealand and Australia, to understand that there was nothing whatever in tho way of a stunt or the gaining of personal kudos about the flight. At much personal inconvenience and financial risk, having received very small public support, the journey was being undertaken with the wider national objective of creating a deeper interest in the pressing question of tho value of aerial defence in the Pacific zone and drawing into closer relationship tho peoples of New Zealand and Australia in their commercial and other interests, thereby welding stronger the links in the great Empire unity ideal.