FLYING NEWS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11828, 9 January 1933, Page 5

FLYING NEWS

THE SOUTHERN CROSS

'VISIT'TO- GISBORNE VIA ROTORUA.

FAMOUS AIRMAN WILL BE HERE

FOR THREE DAYS

PASSENGER FLIGHTS ON TWO AFTERNOONS.

The itinerary of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith has now been definitely settled. It had been originally arranged that the Southern Cross would fly direct from New Plymouth to Gisborne. She will, however, first visit Rotorua, but will reach Gisborne on the day previously fixed, Wednesday, January 18. The re-arrangement of the programme will mean that such a long bop as that from New Plymouth to Gisborne will be avoided and it will serve the dual purpose of fitting another centre into the itinerary.

Whilst in Gisborne, tbe Southern Cross will make passenger flights from Waikanae Beach on the afternoon of Wednesday, January 18, and Thursday, Jan. 19, but no flights will bo made on the Friday. Sir Charles Ringsford Smith is due at Napier on the Saturday morning. The use of Waikanae Beach has

been granted by the' courtesy of the Harbour Board and members of the Waikanae Beach Society have offered s their help in any- capacity if it should be required. . In this connection, Mr. IV. Kingsford Smith has written to Mr. G. A. Nieholls, stating that the size of the plane and the noise thereof generally keeps visitors at a respectable distance. “So long as there are one or two uniformed police present wc experience very little dffiieulty,” ho adds, “no matter how large the crowds, are.” The aerodrome will be used only to house the Southern Cross, as it- is felt that it would not afford sufficient runaway for such a big craft—tbe Southern Cross lias a wing span of SO feet—laden to her full capacity of 14 passengers. During their stay here. Sir Charles . and members of lii s party will be the guests of the Gisborne Hotel. No evening social functions will be held. Sir Charles lias, however, agreed to be the guest of members, of the Rotary Club at a special luncheon on Thursday, January 19. From Gisborne, the Southern Cross will, in turn, visit Napier, Hastings, Wanganui, Tauranga, Wait'. Auckland, Whangarei. Hamilton, Palmerston North, Dannevirke. Master ton, and Levin, 'Ashburton, Christchurch, Timaru, Cromwell, Oainaru, Invercargill, Dunedin. Blenheim and Wellington. where the tour will conclude. Though the charge that will be made

made for passenger flights has not

announced, it is understood that the will be very reasonable. Inci-

dentally. there is room for five passen-

gers who may like to accompany the party right through either the North Island or the South Island or both. The fare has been fixed as under: North Island £4O; South Island £2O. Zither one or both islands may be chosen. Hotel charges will, of course, be additional.

THE 1928 CROSSINGS.

The first crossing of the Tasman Sea by the Southern Cross was made on the night of September 10-11. 1928. the aeroplane taking off at 5,25 p.m. (Sydney time) on the 10th. The landing was made at Cnristchurch at 9.22 a.in. on the 11th, and the reported flying time was 14hr. 25inin. M ellington.residents, it will be remembered. received a thrill when the feouthrn Cross appeared over the city at 7.10 a-m., circled the harbour. and then made off south. On this flight the airmen had the advantage of a strong following wind, averaging 2b miles an hour. The distance to Sockburn was stated to be 1660 land miles and the Southern Cross maintained an average speed calculated at HO miles per hour. On the return flight from Blenheim the Southern Cross had a hard struggle against head winds. The 1550 miles flight was fought out almost round the clock. The times ueie 4.55 a.m. October 13, take-off, and 3.55 a.m. Sunday (Sydney time corrected to New Zealand standard time), landing 23 hours exactly. On arriving off the Australian coast, the airmen encountered fog, and it was nob till thev identified Newcastle that they attempted to get low. From Newcastle they followed the coast south.

FINAL ARRANGEMENTS

DEPARTURE AT DAWN ON JANUARY 12

PRECAUTIONS FOR SAFETY A (U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright; (Received Jan. 8, 6-30 p.m.)

SYDNEY, Jan. 8 It is now stated that Sir Charles Kmgsford Smiths’s flight across the Tasman Sea will begin at Geeringong Beach at low tide, commencing at 4 am., on January 12, [weather permitting. A war-time steel torpedo ne will be spread on the beach heneat the. wheels of the Southern Cross to prevent them sinking into the sa T • In, ca'se of a forced descent into the water, one wing twill Be severed y hacksaws, the severed portion being used as a. ra.ft.

HINKLER LEAVES FOR AUSTRALIA-

FIVE HOPS

(U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received January 8, 6-30 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 7. Squadron-Leader Bert Tlinklei , left Feltan at 3 a.m.. for Australia, flying the Puss Moth in which he crossadYtlic Atlantic. He is attempting to beat Butler’s record oi 'linie a 3 s two hours. . ' ' Hinkler kept his plans secret, and only the staff of the aerodrome - and Customs officials were present, when be took off beautifully. He ■ intends to make five hops to Darwin, t e first stop at Brindisi.

(Continued from previous column)

HO NEWS OF HINKLER.

ITALIAN COAST BEING WATCHED.

(U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Jan. 9, 1 a.m*) T LONDON. Jan. 8.

There is no news of Hinkler though a dose watch was kept on the Ital“an coast on Saturday afternoon. He should have reached Brindisi at nightfall. \