ATLANTIC FLIGHTS

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 17 July 1929, Page 5

ATLANTIC FLIGHTS

EAST TO WEST TRIP. COSTES’ GLOOMY PREDICTION. IA tioLDii mu A^ocj«r.RfU—United (Service.) PARIS, Juily 16. The opinion that an east to west bran-s-Atlantic flight is almost impossible is expressed by Captain Oostes, who with Lieut. Beiliioutes was forced to return after passing the Azores. Captain Castes describes the dramatic moment when he and his companion took counsel in mid-ocean concerning the chances' and decided to turn hack after 15 hours of flying. They discovered after leaving the coast that their actual progress in face of the strong air currents was. only three-quarters of that on which the flight had been calculated and that while fuel consumption increased the speed decreased. Captain Costes, declares' that in order to fly from Parts to New York a plane must have wind and weather conditions such as are almost exceptional. Crossing will not be achieved with any practical use until floating islands afforded a chance of re-fuelling. Despite this gloomy view, however, Captain Costes announces his intention of making another attempt.

ATTEMPT BY SOUTHERN CROSS.

MAY BE MADE! WITHIN NEXT FEW DAYS.

NEW YORK, July 15. The Wright Aeronautical Corporation Inis announced the receipt of messages from Squadron-Leader K.ingsford Smith indicating that he and Flight-Lieu-tenant Ulm are not discouraged by the recent failure® of attempted trails-At-lantic crossings and would probably endeavour to fly in the Southern Cross from London to New Yirk within the next few days. The aviators asked if the corporation deemed it advisable to, fly to New York and thence, to. Oakland (Californi) with the same motors they used when they left Oakland for Sydney last year. The accomplisliment, of this feat with the original equipment would be a new exploit in the history of aviation. (