AVIATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 December 1933, Page 10

AVIATION

MISHAP AT HAMILTON. [PKB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AUCKLAND, December 10. An unusual accident occurred at Te , Rapa Aerodrome, Hamilton, this morning, when a Moth aeroplane ran amok with no one at the controls, and after careering round the aerodrome, it crashed into a new motor-car standing at the entrance to the hangar. The machine, which belongs to the Western Federated Flying Club, of New Plymouth, was flown from New Plymouth yesterday by Kenneth Bartlett. With a view to making a flight, Bartlett gave the propeller a swing Unluckily, the throttle was wide open

and the machine started forward, the pilot being struck and knocked down by one of the wings, receiving bruisers to the back. Gordon Lindsay made a frantic effort. to reach the controls by jumping cn to the moving machine, which, hewever. quickly gathered speed, forcing him to jump clear. Several bystanders made vain attempts to stop the machine by grasping the wings and tail. Somebody gave the tail a twist, with the result that the machine swept round in a. wide arc. finally crashing into the motor car. The im-

pact was severe, and the aeroplane’ propellers were snapped off, the wings broken and the undercarriage shattered. The body of the motor car was extensively damaged.

ULM’S TOUR. AUCKLAND. December 10. The “Faith in Australia”, with Ulm and party, arrived at Mangere aerodrome from Hamilton yesterday afternoon. After a perfect landing, Ulm and party were welcomed by the Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, and Mr. iE. R. Boucher (President of the Auckland Aero Club). Mrs. Ulm and Miss Rogers were presented ■with bouquets. Tn perfect, summer weather passenger flights were made yesterday and today. The monoplane will make a. nonstop flight, from Auckland to Invercargill, with mail, on Tuesday, leaving

hero at daybreak. BRITAIN NEEDS ’DROMES. [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] RUGBY, December 8. The Prince of Wales urged a forward policy in regard to civil aviation at a. conference in London, called to stimulate a movement for the equipping of more towns with air ports. Tho use of aeroplanes, said tho, Prince, should bo at the disposal of all, instead of only a. few. The development of regular iar transport in

tlio British Isles had made sudden and ; remarkable strides during the present year, but they must look ahead. Bri- ( tain had a great aircraft industry, and some of tho best aircraft in the world, but they must now think of creating a speed not of 100 miles an hour, but of 250 miles an hour. Such speeds would not arrive suddenly, but when they came, larger aerodromes would be needed. Aerolanes had evolved, and had not been invented. The immediate need was for more landing grounds, so that aeroplanes could alight where they wished. Sixteen of the local authorities in England. Scotland and Wales had provided modern aerodromes, and six other local authorities had acquired airport sites, but they could not reap full rewards for this enterprise, , because their zeal had not been followed. Fast, frequent and regular air services would only come about if aircraft, air routes and airports were planned simultaneously.