PLANS FOR BIG FLIGHT

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 1, 3 January 1933, Page 8

PLANS FOR BIG FLIGHT

N.Z. GOVERNMENT HELJP

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

SYDNEY, 29th December.

Public interest in Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's projected flight across the ■Tasman to New Zealand is growing. It is tentatively timed to begin between 2_p.m. and 4 p.m. on 10th January, but Sir Charles does not intend "to take any foolish risks, and he .will bo guided by meteorological reports.:' - Special " arrangements to secure these are. beins made, aud if the conditions are unsuiS able, he will wait until they are better, no matter how long he is delayed. Hs is as keen as ever in educating the public on the safety of flying, and in this connection he has probably done more than any other aviator in the world. He has always1 been opposed to takin" unnecessary risks, and fiis big flights have -always been most carefully planned. The result isto be seen in: the ■ success which has attended every, flight !ho has attempted to date.The big machine, which Trill be laden with 660 gallons of petrol, will take off at low tide from the Gerrigong Beach about 100 miles south of Sydney, and will leave the Mascot aerodrome, ■ Svdjney, for the beach, at 11 n.m. on 10th: [January. Immediately an arrival at the beach the petrol will be pumped into the special containers, and Sir Charlei will then be ready to set off at a moment 's notice as soon as favourable weather reports came to hand. There will be five occupants of the machineSir Charles himself, the assistant pilots Captain P. G. Taylor, a wealthy maa who has made flying his hobby; Mr.S. E. rueilsen, secretary of the New Plymouth Aero Club; Mr. j. S "W Stainage, wireless operator, and a Sydney journalist/ Mr. J.,Pereival. It is understood that £150 was'paid for Mr Percival's seat in the aeroplane, but that Mr. Neilsen is being taken free—a gesture by Sir Charles to show Ms appreciation of what the New Plymouth Club .has done in the interest of the flight and of- what the New Zealand Orovernmeat has done.' :

Sir Charles says that his treatment b> the licw Zealand Government is in striking contrast with his treatment in official quarters in Australia. He complains that the Australian Kaw Board appear? to have placed obstacle's in Ms way flowing his request for the loan ot p ■ chronometer. . ■ This instrument is very necessary, and the one he uf seeking-is-particularly suitable for carrying- in an aeroplane.. He would be put to great expense if he had to purchase a similar instrument locally and even then- there was a doubt whether one would be. available. On the other hand ho had received every encouragement from the New Zealand Government, which would supervise the provision of lights that.would make his landing at night near New Plymouth an easy matter. All his negotiations with ISew Zealand had been of such a friendly character, that he was greatly looking forward to his tour of the Dominion. ./• ;f A. cablo-message received last week stated that a Sydney watchmaker had' lent a chronometer for the flight.]