AVIATION

Evening Star, Issue 20263, 26 August 1929, Page 12

AVIATION

SCHNEIDER GUP RACE NO POSTPONEMENT Pr«« A«oei»tion— By ralegrapb— Copyright LONDON, August 23. The Schneider Cup Aero Club Committee has stated that the Italian Government’s request for a month’s postponement has been received, and the Italian attache has been informed of the rules of the International Aeronautical Federation, which states that the club is nob allowed to postpone the contest once the entries have been received. It is authoritatively explained that postponement would involve a tremendous dislocation of the plans, and enormous expense would bo incurred by the Admiralty and the railway and shipping companies. The meteorological experts advised that such a race would bo virtually impossible after September.—Australian Press Association-United Service. ITALY "WITHDRAWS. LONDON, August 25. (Received August 26, at 10 a.m.) The Italian Air Attache states that tho Italian Schneider Cup team has withdrawn from the race.—Australian Press Association-United Service. ITALY’S MISFORTUNE. (British Official Wireless.) ?r«U JLwocUtion—By Telegraph—Copyright. RUGBY, August 25. (Received August 26, at noon.) The tragic loss on Lake Garda (Italy) yesterday of tho Italian pilot, Captain "Mot ta, during training for the Schneider Trophy contest has cast a gloom over the preparations for tho sensational contest fixed for September 7 on the Solent. Captain Motta, who had a distinguished war record as an airman, was second iu command . of Italy’s high speed section. Following the news of Motta’s death, which was the third of a series of unfortunate accidents that has befallen l,taly in connection with the contest,. a request was made by the Italian Air Attache in London for a postponement of the race for one month. Every sympathy is felt with .Italy, widely has been placed in an awkward position, no less by lack of readiness with..her machines than through the loss of this distinguished pilot. The Royal Aero Club considered the application for postponement last night, but replied that it was unable to grant the request, because the rules of the contest forbade such postponement.. It is pointed out that the contest is .something more than a mere sporting event between two teams. The original entrants were Great Britain, France, Italy, and the United States of America. Franco reluctantly intimated that she could not compete", as it was not possible to get her team ready in time, and the position of the American entrant is still in doubt. If Italyls request, within a fortnight of the race, could have been granted" it is also felt that Frence would have had legitimate cause of complaint, as she might claim that that extra month would have enabled her to compete. Apart from these considerations, in international contests of this description, involving intricate arrangements for the accommodation of 1,000,000 spectators, the postponement for a month, or even a week, cannot be lightly considered. .. . • Lord Thomson (Secretary • of State for Air) has sent the following message to .the Italian Air Minister The Air Council and the Royal Air Force learn with deep regret of the death of Captain Guiseppe Motta, and tender their profound sympathy.” I {ACE TO BE HELD. LONDON, August 25. (Registered August 26, at 12.15 p.m.) The Chairman of the Schneider Cup

Committee says that the race will not be abandoned. It will be decided on the date fixed, even though there are no other competitors than the three British planes to carry out the programme. News from America, however, suggests that the United States machine may make a last-minute appearance. The general belief is that this will bo the last Schneider. Cup race.—Australian Press Association. CRASH IN GERMANY FOUR PEOPLE KILLED. BERLIN, August 24. The pilot and three passengers were killed when a Lufthansa aeroplane, which was carrying out the regular service' between Frankfort-on-Main and Frankfort collided with trees at Fulda owing to fog, and, crashed.—Australian Press Association: ACCIDENT AT HELIOPOLIS BRITISH PLANE CRASHES. CAIRO, August 24. A Vickers Victoria troop-carrying aeroplane, with a crew. of. seven, crashed after leaving Heliopolis aerodrome, three being killed and four, injured. —■ Australian Press AssociationUnited Service. STATEMENT BY AIR MINISTRY. LONDON, August 24. Tho Ail’ Ministry states that the aeroplane which crashed at Heliopolis was not connected with the movement of troops to Jerusalem.—United, Service. ENTERPRISING HEW ZEALANDERS LONDON, August 23. ’Two New Zealanders —R. Hoskin (Auckland) and Alan Walsh (New Plymouth)—worked their passages, from New Zealand in the hope of joining the Air Force, and their wish has been gratified. They found that their ability to play Rugby was a powerful recommendation.—Australian Press Association. WOMEN'S AIR RACE NEW YORK, August 24. The Women’s Air Derby .stopped at Wichita (Kansas) for the . night, after a day in which no great misfortune met tho competitors, except that Miss Elder was lost for a time and then found her way again The leaders to-night were Mrs Thaden, Miss O’Donnell, Miss Earhart, and Miss Nichols in that order. Mrs Miller stands last, with the elapsed time of 26hr lOmin 40sec, against Mrs Thaden’s 12hr 37min 46sec. Press Association. PLANES REACH ST. LOUIS. EAST ST. LOUIS, August 24. Completing the leaps from Wichita and Kansas. City, the Air Derby competitors arrived, here, to-day. Miss Blanche Noyes is leading for the last lap, and Mrs Thaden is still leading for the total elapsed Time. Miss Ruth Elder has announced her engagement to Walter Camp, a son of the famous football coach. Mrs Perry was forced to withdraw. She is dangerously ill, with typhoid fever at Fort Worth, Texas.—Australian Press Association.