ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 15, 17 July 1929, Page 9

ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE

EAST TO WEST FLIGHT

YET COSTES MAY TRY AGAIN

Australian Press Association.

PARIS, 16th July. Costes, the French airman who set out on a flight across the Atlantic, but returned as a result of heavy head winds, expresses the opinion that the east to west transatlantic flight is almost impossible. He describes a dramatic moment when he and his companion, Belloutes, took counsel in midocean concerning the chances, and decided to turn back, after fifteen hours' flying. They discovered after leaving the coast that the actual progress in the face of the strong air currents was only three-quarters of that on which the flight had been calculated, and that while the fuel consumption had increased the speed had decreased.

Costes declares that in order to fly from Paris to New York a 'plane must have wind and weather conditions such as are most exceptional: While the crossing may be achieved as a purely sporting attempt, it holds out little hope of ever being of practical use until floating islands afford a chance of re-fuelling. Despite this gloomy view, however, Costes announces his intention of making another attempt.