FAMOUS AVIATOR

Evening Star, Issue 22365, 15 June 1936, Page 5

FAMOUS AVIATOR

MR H. CATTY VISITS DUNEDIN PAN-AMERICAN AIRWAYS PROJECT "CHINA CLIPPERS" FOR AMERICANEW ZEALAND SERVICE That there is nothing in Australia to compare with aerodromes or air services in New Zealand, is the opinion of Mr Harold Gatty, prominent American aviator, who visited Dunedin during the weekend. Remembered chiefly because of liis flight round the world in eight days and a-half in 1931, Mr Gatty possesses an enviable reputation as an aviator, and he is now turning this knowledge to use in commercial aviation. At present ho is the New Zealand representa- ./ tive of Pan-American Airways, and is also representing Douglas Aircraft in Australia, and so for the next few years expects to be travelling between the two countries. Ft is many years since he last visited the Dominion, and he was interested to see what progress had been made in aviation, not only because of his connection with Pan-American, hut also from personal interest. It was for

that reason that he was taking a look over Union Airways and New Zealand aerodromes throughout the country.

“ There is nothing like your aerodromes in Australia,” said Mr Gatty, “ whle your present air services compare more than favourably with similar services in Australia. union Airways in particular has done some fine pioneer work, and as the comes to appreciate air travel this service should expand. The scenery I saw on the trip from Palmerston is among the best I have seen, and should add considerably to the attractions of the flight.”

During this visit to the Dominion Mr Gatty is preparing plans for Pan-Ame-rican Airways, for which he is the New Zealand representative. At the present time lie did not like to make any mention of the date upon which the service would begin, but it was some considerable time away yet. PanAmerican already operate down to Honolulu, while from this base a regular service is now being run to China. The service from San Francisco to New Zealand-will take three days, the aeroplanes landing at Auckland. As the company will not be allowed to operate an air service within the Dominion, Union Airways will carry passengers southward. The aeroplanes used will be similar to the famous “ China Clippers,” which now operate regularly between America and China. Pan-Ameri-can, he said, would also operate their own radio communication service to the machines, from Auckland. Mr Gattv left Dunedin this morning by the Kotnku on his return to Wel-

lington, and lie expects to leave the .Dominion in about two weeks time for Australia

Jn June, 1931, Mr Harold Catty, associated with Mr Wiley Post, circled the world in eight and a-h'alf days, creating a stir m aviation with his feat. Jt will be remembered that Mr Wiley Post crashed in Alaska with the film star, Will Rogers, in August oi last year. THE CHINA CLIPPER. The China Clipper, the aeroplane to be used by Pan-American on the Ame-rican-New Zealand route, has been featured in newsreels shown at local theatres during the past few weeks. The aeroplanes take their names from the famous old “ clipper ” ships which opened up new worlds for the early traders. Four years of intensive research and preparation were spent before plans were completed for the famous four-engined Hying boat. When tenders were called for this giant of the air. one of the necessary factors was that the aeroplane should bo able to travel 3,000 miles in a non-stop flight. Two old hands at the building of sea-' planes—Martin and Sikorsky—received the tender, and how successful they have been has been told in print innumerable tiines during the past few months.

With -the addition of the transpacific divisions, Pan-American Airways becomes the largest and longest airline on earth to-dny. Far surpassing Britain’s Imperial Airways, the Netherlands’ Royal Dutch Airlines, or the Soviet Air Trust, Pan-American’s scheduled air line system now totals, roughly, 41,973 miles.