LATE TASMAN FLIGHT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 31 October 1928, Page 2

LATE TASMAN FLIGHT.

AN EERIE EXPERIENCE. REPAIRING DAMAGED AERIAL. A thrilling story of Iris efforts to repair a damaged wireless aeaijJ.. while flip Southern Cross Was lighting its Way over the Tasman on October 13 against a head wind was related! in Sydney last week by the wireless operator, Air MeWil'dam, when acknowledging a presentation made to him by members of the Electrical Employers.’ Association who associated with the Radio Broadcast Bureau. Mr, McWilliain said that the ianprieesion seemed to be abroad that the flight from' New Zealand to Sydney was more difficult than that from Sydney to Christchurch, whereas the reverse was the ease. Sever© tfs'totms had been experienced on both flights, but that which occurred on. the return flight lasted] only a short* time.*' Owing to the o'ionds; and fogs; however, it had been a ease- of “blind” flying most of the way back to Sydney. ; , Radio transmission had been earned out in most difficult bireuimisbanoes, said Mr •McWilliain. The wind lashed tlve swinging aerial against the plane, ahdi, after a time opened the .strands of thja wire, carrying portion of it away. The aerial had to be - repaired while the Southern Cross was * being buffeted by fhe storm in mid-air. Thp only way that con'd Ive dime whs for ‘ham’ to open the door, and try to hook up the aerial with a walking stick, while the navaga-; tor,. Air Litchfield; held on to his feet. That was probably his most eerie experience. * * *

Mr AloWilliam said that his surpriLse was that the transmission Was received Ko well'. When the ’plane gave a sudden lurch in the air it was quite easy to send an extra, dot or dash, or to mass one or’two dots *or dashes. In fact, the lurches were so suddlen and severe that one was inclined to hold on ./to anything. for support—even to the radio operating key. (Laughter). The reception of radio messages on the hnwhrae was particularly good, Air Af.cWillihih explained. He was able to obtain valuable meteorological reports from both Sydney and New Zealand stations' and was* abb to keep in touch with shins. The Mahenofs- wireless operator 'bad sent valuah)e information to the Southern Chos-s.