SAFE FLYING

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 30, 5 February 1935, Page 10

SAFE FLYING

ACROSS THE STRAITS

LARGE MACHINES NEEDED

"Flying in New Zealand should be a commercial proposition," Mr. E. Wickham Jones stated yesterday after making a trip to Christchurch by air. Stronger machines than those at present available in New Zealand were required, he said, and if such machines were used.in conjunction with ground equipment travel by air would be very safe.

Travelling in the small aeroplanes at present available was "safe .enough at the present time, Mr. Jones said, but a great deal of. skill and tact on the part of the pilot was called for that would not be required if larger and better-equipped machines were used. He had travelled; on the Continental route between Berlin and London where long hops were taken, and if the machines, used there were employed in New Zealand flights between the main centres would be comparatively: simple.. ■; .

Mr. Jones started out for Christchurch with Mr. G. C. Lewis, a Christchurch pilot, early on-Saturday morning, but they turned back because of fog. Another start was made at ,2.45 pjn., and Blenheim .was reached without incident. From there to the Kaikouras the flying was good, but the latter stage of the journey was made difficult by wind and low cloud. The pilot was forced to. follow the coast line at a low altitude, skill being required to avoid trouble. Mr. Jones expressed the opinion that a large aeroplane equipped to fly towards radio beacons could have gone straight from Wellington to Christchurch without difficulty and: without the necessity of flying low to search out the way along the coast. •