BRITISH AVIATION

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 19 March 1928, Page 5

BRITISH AVIATION

A WEEK OF DISASTERS.

THE ATLANTIC ATTEMPT. PLANS FOP MORE FLIGHTS. BY CABLE-FBEBB ASSOCIATION—COPYBIGHT LONDON, March 17. A week of disasters in British aviation is responsible for two fairly gon- - eral decisions. The first is that the attempt to beat the speed record must, not to be renewed, and the second that the Atlantic venture, though fascinating, should stop. It is certain another attempt will be made by a Royal Air Force pilot to regain the speed record. For the attempt two super-maclnne engined aeroplanes are available. One is the actual Schneider Oup winner. Experts say that it. will not be difficult to beat the Italian figure; that indeed Kinkcad actually unofficially did so at the moment of the tragedy. Air Vice-Marshal Sir .T. F. A. Higgins, who is responsible for approving the designs of aircraft, salcl to-night that though the Kinkcad tragedy tem porarilv prevented the record being beaten “we can achieve it, and we shall achieve it at no distant date. Already plans are going apace for no fewer " than a dozen trans-Atlantic flights, some of which will certainly be attempted. This determination is icaliscd in England, where there is m likelihood of the passing of a general ban.’’ Air Vice-Marshal Sir Sefton Branc-

ker, Director of Civil Aviation, said to-day that someone would hurry un and accomplish a trans-Atlantic fligh* Then there would be no more fuss in that, connection. He added that the Air Ministry would not organise any direct flight. ‘

iKEARiCIH FOR HTNCHCLTFFE OTTAWA, March 17. A search of the heavily-wooded Moosehead Lake region in the 'State o’ Mains will be conducted by a Canadian Air Force 1 I ’plane. /Washington has granted permission to fly over United States territory to search for Hinch eliffe and the Hon. Elsie Mack ay, a* reiterated reports have been received by the Government that a ’plane was hard on Thursday morning. “STUNT FLIGHTS” NOT FAVOURED. AMERICAN OPINION. NEW YORK, March 17. With hope for the safety of Hindi eliffe and the Hon. Elsie Maekny abnn. doned, there are expressions of regret and statements of the admiration for the aviators. There is also, however, a resumption of the feeling against hazardous flights tha't do nothing to further the scientific side of aviation. The “New York World” says it seems a pity that so fine a man as llineheliffe should throw himself away in an endeavour, the outcome of "which ecnld onlv have resulted in personal fame for 'himself and his passenger. The “New York Times” points out that “stunt” flying is a set-back for commercial aviation. EARLY MORNING SERVICE. MISS MACK AY’S VISIT TO PRIEST. Received 9.50 a.m. to-day.) LONDON, March 18. Father Aronson, priest at Grantham, tells how Miss Mackay, who was a recent convert to Catholicism, together with Captain. Hinchcliffe, attended the services at his church on Sunday and Monday. At five o’clock on Tuesday morning Miss Mackay woke, him, apparently deeply conscious of the risk she was taking in tho Atlantic flight, and alone they took Holy Communion in the dimly lit church. He gave her his blessing. Kneeling under the crucifix she was obviously excited and deeply affected by the ceremony. She accompanied' him to his study to say good-bye. She told him the secret before departing to join Captain Hinchcliffe and' the others in the waiting car outside. —“Sydney Sun” Cable.