ATTEMPTS ABANDONED

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 13 September 1927, Page 5

ATTEMPTS ABANDONED

TO FLY ACROSS ATLANTIC.

SEASON TOO ADVANCED

FURTHER RISK UNJUSTIFIED. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Sept. 10. The “Westminster Gazette.” largely under whose auspices Captain Courtnev yyas attempting a westward transAtlantic flight, has telegraphed to Courtney at Corunna that, in view of the exceptional yveather conditions, the lateness of the season, and the heavy ‘loss of life which has occurred in the course of recent attempts to fly the Atlantic, it is definitely of the opinion that such attempts this year should cease. . The Anglo-American Oil Company and Napier and Son, yvho are also interested in Courtney’s flight, have signified entire approval of the journal’s action. The ‘-Gazette” considers that the present position is one from yvhich any airmen concerned can retire yvith honour, and that further attempts to fly the Atlantic this year would involve absolutely unjustifiable risk of human life. Apart from this, the country cannot afford to lose some ot its best pilots. This year’s Atlantic flying disasters are the subject of leading articles in most of the newspapers this morning. The opinion is generally expressed that these disasters make it clear that the yvrong type of machine has been used, aijd that the land machine is unsuitable for Atlantic flying. That the Atlantic can be flown was proved as ,ar back as June 15 1919, yvhen the British airmen Aleoek and Brown accomplished the feat, but recent events have emphasised the influence which the yveather exerts. What is wanted sate flying in any yveather conditions. . The viewpoint of the Air Ministry is that every effort should now be concentrated upon the development of a large flying boat of metal, its power plant distributed over a number oi separate engines, and capable ot carrying an ample reserve of fuel. LONDON, Sept. 12. Courtney has abandoned his Atlantic flight. l-evine has abandoned his flight to America till 1928.