FLIGHT TO NEW ZEALAND

Evening Star, Issue 19758, 7 January 1928, Page 6

FLIGHT TO NEW ZEALAND

THE TRANSTASMAN ATTEMPT ALL PREPARATIONS COMPLETE AWAITING FAVORABLE WEATHER. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, January 6. The New Zealand aviators have completed all preparations for the flight, and are only awaiting favorable weather conditions to make a start. They realise the element of risk in crossing 1,450 miles over the Tasman Sea in a pioneer flight, even under the most auspicious circumstances, and are determined not to take any foolhardy risks. They are hopeful of getting away early on Sunday morning, but they will start then only if the weather is perfect for flying.' They are leaving early in the morning bo as to utilise a maximum amount of daylight. It is not yet decided whether Knight or Hood will accompany Moncrieff. The two pilots will take turns at the joystick, and for two-hour spells each will have control of tho ’plane, while the other rests. Whether the machine makes direct for Wellington will not be decided till they are halfway across the Tasman, when bearings will be taken and a course set for either Wellington or Greymouth, the proposed alternative landing place. The machine has been put through every possible test, and the flyers are confident that it will prove equal to what it is required to do. Captain Knight, interviewed by a Press Association representative, strongly stressed the point that he wished the public both in New Zealand and Australia to understand that there is nothing whatever in the way of stunt flying or gaining personal kudos about the flight. At much personal inconvenience and financial risk, very little public support having been received, the journey was being undertaken with the wider national objective of creating deeper interest in a pressing question—the value of aerial defence in the Pacific zone—and drawing into closer relationship the peoples of New Zealand and Australia in their commercial and other interests, thereby welding stronger links in the great Empire unity ideal.