ONE OF THE LONGEST

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 82, 3 October 1929, Page 9

ONE OF THE LONGEST

AND SAFEST.IN THE WORLD

(From "The Post's" Reor««ntttlv».) SYDXEI", 26th September.

, The great air race across ■ Australia^ from Sydney to Perth, planned in eon. nection with the Perth centenary celebrations, will be one of the longest! races of its kind in the world (2400( miles), ana, what is more important* it will be the safest. It will begin! from Sydney on Saturday, and will eai3 at Perth on 3rd October. The num. ber of machines that is taking part 14 also a record for any aerial event ia Australia, and is an evidence of th« progress of aviation in Australia. The safety precautions have beea ararnged with the greatest attention to detail. To begin with, every competitor will carry in his 'plane three ground strips—white lengths of material •with, which to signal by lying en - the ground in the event of a. forced landing. He will also be provided with, a copy of. the code, by the use of which, he may talk with the 'planes that are flying above him. Throughout theVliolo distance three American Air Force; Wapiti: 'planes will follow the lace. They will be equipped with wireless, and they will report to all wireless stations if and when a 'plane drops out of the race. In this direction the B.A.A.F. Wireless -Reserve is co-operating with the committee that is controlling the race. Members of the reserve will keep a look-out for the 'planes at all wireless stations along the route. STRINGENT EEGTOXATIONS. The rules that have been laid down make turns at certain points compulsory. One turn for instance will mean that the competitors must miss the mountain country close to .Sydney Another will mean.that the 'planes will not pass over more than eight miles of sea in the Australian Eight. Even, then the stretch of sea will be patrolled by two boats. Then on the stage between Adelaide and Cook the machines must carry full rations because of the desert nature ,of "the country making it unlikely that they would bo rescued for two or three days were they: forced down. . Once the competitors reach the Trans-continental railway they will not have any need for worry.' lorty line maintenance gangs, with, fast motor trolleys, first-aid experts, and water, and with telephone facilities to the nearest station, will patrol the line. An E.A.A.F. doctor will' accompany, the-machines in one of the Wapitis. ". . . >

The organisation of this vast race presented many problems, arid these it would seem have been overcome, and there will bo great rivalry for the honour of collecting. the first prize of £1000. The- race is a handicap, arid the handicappers will follow the 'planes and adjust the handicaps each day before a new section is entered upon. This is necessary because the irina, ever-changing, is an important factor in. determining aerial handicaps.