AERIAL ENTERPRISE

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 May 1927, Page 7

AERIAL ENTERPRISE

RECORD NON-STOP VENTURE

ENGLAND TO INDIA

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Assn.) (By Cable —Press Assn.—Copyright.)

LONDON. May 13

While vast areas of ocean are still to be searched for both Nungesser and St. Romain, and preparations are advanced for the American airmens’ dash to Paris, Flight-Lieutenants Carr and Gillman, of the Royal Air Force, have announced that they will hop off on Sunday, in the greatest nonstop flight ever attempted—from England to Karachi, a. distance of 4000 miles.

Their machine is fitted with a RollsRoyce Condor engine, of 650 h.p. The route will be by Central Europe, Asia Minor, and the Persian Gulf. A special 600 yard run lias been prepared to get the great machine, with its three tens of petrol, into the air, and it requires, in addition, a wind blowing at least 15 miles per' hour. The Royal Air Force Service flight is designed to prove that the latest type of aeroplane is capable of overcoming most difficulties. The Daily Telegraph aviation correspondent says: It has been suggested that this is a. costly way of demonstrating its practicability. It is the only satisfactory way. Theories must be tested. For example, there will be an enormous difference in the load when most of the fuel is consumed, and the actual behaviour as the weight is lessened, is of great scientific value. There is a great risk in staffing with such a load, but as far human sight compasses, this can be overcome. The worst risk is of engine failure early. If this unhappily occurs, parachute landings are inevitable. After eight hours’ flight the machine is sufficiently lightened to land safely, but one of the greatest dif ficulties will be landing when the tanks are empty. Britain cannot be still, in face of the big aviation deeds of other nations.

AMERICA / CEASES SEARCH

WASHINGTON, Muy 14

Mr Wexim has announced that U.S.A, naval tugs and coastguard craft have discontinued the search for Nungesser and Coli, due to fog and bad weather. He also declared that the proposed flight of the dirigible Los Angeles to Labrador to seek the Frenchmen, would be impossible. Rear-Admiral Andrews informed Mr Wilbur that under the circumstances any further search would be futile. Rear-Admiral Moffatt declared that the Los A'ngeles’ supply of helium was not sufficient for a Labrador trip. FORESTERS' REPORT NEW YORK, May 14. News from Harbour Grace (Newfoundland) states that foresters working in a wooded area about sixty miles from here, now report that they heard an aeroplane and then the noise of a crash in the forest, and an explosion, on Monday. It is believed to have been Nungesser’s plane. A search party is investigating. DE PINEDO'S ATTEMPT. NEW YORK, May 14. De Pinedo arrived at New Orleans and will proceed to Memphis, from which, after a short stay, he will proceed to Newfoundland. He plans to hop off next week for the Azores, taking advantage of the full moon period. He will depend upon weather reports from the Italian weather mission, which has been experimenting for two months at the Azores, under the direction of Professor Eredia. the leadin', Italian met leorologist.

THE NEXTi FLIGHTS

NEW YORK, May 13. /

The flight of the U.S.A, airmen Chamberlain and Bertrand, for Paris, has been postponed till Sunday or Monday, owing to bad weather. It is thought that Lindberg’s flight will also be postponed. A PACIFIC VENTURE. SAN FRANCISCO. May 13. The aviator Giles, an Australian, is here, en route to Vancouver, to prepare for a flight to Australia. SAN FRANCISCO, May 15. Captain Giles, British Air Force navigator from Australia, has arrived en route to Vancouver, to meet Captain Jenkins, leader of the proposed Vancouver to Sydney flight in June.

MORE FRENCH SCHEMES

PARIS, May 15

The aviators Tarascon and Nocques, will attempt a trans-Atlantic flight in June. D’Oisy expects to leave on luesday on a non-stop flight to India, thence to Indo China,

MILLIONAIRE’S PROPOSAL.

COPENHAGEN, May 15

Van Leerblack, the millionaire American publisher, is planning a transAtlantic flight on a grand scale. He has ordered a three-engined Fokker with, kitchen, and sleeping cabin. The pilot will be a. Dutchman, Geiksendorder.

GIANT SEAPLANE. BERLIN, Muy 15

Professor Runpier claims to have evolved a giant seaplane which will make the Trans-Atlantic flight safe, and will be a commercial proposition. It will be equipped with ton engines, each of a. thousand horse-power, and a crew of thirty-five, and will carry 130 passengers from Berlin to New York in sixteen hours.

TWO BRITISH KILLED

LONDON, May 13.

Two more fatal British Air Force crashes are reported. Flight-Limit. R. F. Carter became involved in a spin, and lie nose-dived to death a Gosport. Flight Cadet Alfred Bentley, aged 19, attempted to land down the wind, and he crashed near Heniow Aerodrome. RUSSIAN BALLOONISTS.

MOSCOW, May 14

Hunters have rescued the pilots of the Soviet balloon which was reported down on May 11.- They were discovered half-frozen near Troitsk. They say that their balloon was damaged during the passage of the Urals.