CHICHESTER ARRIVES

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 26, 31 January 1930, Page 9

CHICHESTER ARRIVES

NEW ZEALAND WELCOME

TRIBUTE TO DARING FEAT

United Press Association— By Electric Itlteraph—Copyright.

SYDNEY, 30th January.

Chicliester, escorted by fourteen aeroplanes, arrived at Mascot aerodrome at 3.55 this afternoon. He was delayed after leaving Narroniino by denso low clouds. The escorting machines had great difficulty in locating him. Chicliester, who was looking well and happy, was, received by the Mayor of Mascot, Aliermaa Alexander, -the District Superintendent or! Aviation, Mr. "\V. 11. Blow, New, Zealand Government Ageut, and other prominent people. Nearly a thousand spectators gavo Chicliester a rousing cheer. His machine was immediately taken to the General Aircraft Company's workshops for complete overhaul. Dr. Purdy and Mr.Havyatt also^ extended hearty greetings from New Zealand to the airman. Tho State Government was represented by the Attor-ney-General (Mr. Boyce). The president of the Aero Club (Mr. Wiltshire.) and tho chief city commissioner, Mr. Garlick, also paid a tribute to the flyer's daring venture. Upon the 'plane coming to a standstill a number of New Zealanders present shouldered the aviator and carried him to the clubhouse steps, where they greeted him with cries of "Haeremai," led by a Maori. The Mayor of Mascot then presented Chichester with i . illuminated address. Chichester, who has a very retiring manner, replied briefly, and expressed his heartyappreciation of the reception, but said that he did not deserve the glowing compliments paid his skill, as any New Zealander or Australian airman'would jump at the chance to make this flight. Interviewed, Chichester said that ever since Hinkler broke tho record to Australia he had been, anxious to make an attempt to better it. But ho now felt sure that even had he not crashed at Tripoli he would not have broken Hinkler's record, which he regarded as a great achievement. Questioned as to his experiences, Chichester said that the most exciting timo ho ever had was when he waa lost near Camooweal. Going aloft with only three gallons of petrol in the tank, ho knew he could only fly for thirty-minu-tes, so he decided to fly eastwards for fifteen in mutes and return if he sighted no habitation.. After being in tho air fourteen and a half minutes he saw Eoeklands Station and came- down there. During his stay at the,bore overnight he. drank water which ho said: "You could stand your boots up in," and his biscuits were petrol-soaked. His longest hop was 870 miles across tho North African desert stretch. However, from Victoria Point to Singapore is characterised by Chichcstor as a dirty run. Here he encountered storms and rain throughout. The maps used by him. were most inaccurate. Places he passed over were not shown and places marked on the charts he could not find. His 'plane had no bank indicator, and he flew throughout by compass. , TRAINED IK HARD SCHOOL. The airman said that ho had learnt his navigation in the hard school of experience. Before leaving England he had done 155 solo hours' flying. Ho said that it took twelve instructors to teach him to fly, and he had twentyfive hours' tuition before making'a solo attempt. Chichester stated emphatically that he would not attempt to fly to Now Zealand, as his Moth 'plane, whiei incidentally is the first Moth ever flown from England to Australia, has s --anga of only 1500 miles, and as the distant to New Zealand is 1450 miles, the margin is too small and it would be suicidal to make the attempt. But if someone supplied him with a suitable machine he certainly would try. Asked what provisions ho carried, the aviator said he had a four-course meal aboard. He went on to explain, that this comprised biscuits under the petrol tank, sandwiches under the compass, beer, and wine. Questioned as to his future plans, Chichester said that lie supposed ha would have to work. He will take his 'piano to New Zealand, with him. Ho has not yet decided when he will sail for New Zealand, but expects to leave to-morrow week. Chichester was taken into the city] by Mr. Blow in his car, and will be the guest at several welcoming functions during the week.