AVIATION

Evening Star, Issue 20089, 1 February 1929, Page 6

AVIATION

DURE FGR AIRMEN'S NERVES SENT ALOFT AFTER CRASH. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, January 31. Within a few minutes of the three airmen crashing to death at the East Church Aerodrome, when a large Fairey reconnaissance aeroplane _ nosedived 1,500 ft, every available aircraft belonging to the .squadrons stationed there was sent aloft. Before the last body was extracted from the wreckage it is stated that forty machines were circling overhead. This i.s in accordance with the Air Ministry’s ruling upon the advice oi neurologists that airmen are less likely to develop nerves after witnessing a crash if they immediately fly. Many secondary accidents have been recorded in cases whore airmen have been allowed leave of absence following a crash, involving themselves and their messmates. The officers who were killed are F ly-ing-officer Geoffrey Ingle, Aircraftsman G. Johnson, and F. llowick, and the crash brings the Air Force deaths to four this month. llowick had been married a fortnight. His wife was awaiting his return to lunch._ and he died in her arras.—United Service, ROYAL AIR FORCE " MIDDLE EAST COMMAND. (British Official Wireless.) Pres* Association— By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, January 30. The annual -formation cruise of the machines of the Middle East command of the Royal Air Force from Cairo to the Cape will begin on February .12. On reaching Nairobi the machines will carry out co-operative exercises with the King’s African Rifles, and will proceed to Capo Town in March. , The outward terminal point is Durban, 6,300 miles from Cairo, and on the return flight the machines witf be accompanied from Pretoria to Khartum hv aircraft of the South African Air Force.

LONG-DISTANCE RECORD SOUTH AFRICA TO ENGLAND. (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, January 30. The Fairey long-distance monoplane with which it is hoped to establish a fresh long-distance flight record has one more sustained test to make before it sets out in three stages for South Africa, from which place an attempt will be made to reach England in one continuous flight. WOMEN’S ENDURANCE RECORD Prew Association—By Telegraph—Copyright NEW YORK, January 31. Miss Elinor Smith, a ssventeen-year-old flyer, established a world’s solo endurance flying record for women of 13h 16min 45sec. The previous record of 12h llmin was made by Miss Bibby Trout, of California.—Australian Press Association-United Service.