PIONEER FLIGHT

Evening Star, Issue 22229, 6 January 1936, Page 9

PIONEER FLIGHT

MOUNT COOK TO FRANZ JOSEPH RETURN TRIP in 2i HOURS A magnificent alpine panorama Tvas unfolded before the eyes of passengers who made the first coast-to-coast flight from the Hermitage to Franz Josef Glacier, on Wednesday afternoon. The trip not only emphasised the ease ami speed of air travel, but enabled the visitors to obtain views of the Alps that are hidden from travellers by car. Piloting his own Puss Moth, Mr A. J. Bradsfiaw, of Invercargill, accompanied by Miss Thompson, of Hobart, and Dr John Fulton, of Dunedin, took off from the Hermitage landing ground at 3.30 p.m. on Wednesday. With three occupants and luggage, the small plane was fully loaded, and considerable time was taken in gaming the .necessary altitude of nearly 12,000 ft, the last thousand feet requiring a particularly strenuous effort on the part of pilot and machine. It was not till the maximum altitude was reached that the rare atmosphere affected the passengers, and then it caused slight difficulty in breathing. The aeroplane was a closed-in one, so that the fall in temperature was only slightly felt, and neither overcoats noi gloves were needed. Hearing was not affected,, but to a person speaking his own voice sounded strange, as if the ears were full of water. The only discomfort of the trip occurred with the sudden descent on the western side of the Aps, when both passengers experienced acute earache for a few minutes when nearing the ground, in spite of frequent swallowing as instructed by the pilot. Swallowing produces equalisation of air pressure on the two sides of the ear drum. “ One the roof ” a magnificent view of South Westland was gained, mountain ranges extending as far as the eye could see. Only the higher peaks were snow clad, but even then Mount Cook, at close quarters, seemed only a little higher than neighbouring peaks, and was hardly as impressive as -when seen from a distance towering over its neighbours. An excellent view of the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers was obtained, and after a quick descent a landing was made at the Franz Joseph. The ground there is within one minute’s walk of the hotel. After a brief stay the return journey was commenced, and altitude was rapidly gained by "“the lightened machine, the flight taking half an hour as against one hour on the outward journey. The airline distance between the two aerodromes is in the vicinity of 30 miles, and, to the less adventurous, this method of “ mountaineering ” has decided advantages.