ANOTHER TASMAN FLIGHT

Hawera Star, Volume L, 25 February 1931, Page 5

ANOTHER TASMAN FLIGHT

* - EAST-WEST PASSAGE.

GHI CHESTER’S AMBITION

If Mr. F. C. Chichester is preparing - for a flight across the Tasman Sea - from New Zealand: to Australia, and it is freely rumoured that he contemplates such a venture, lie is being ex- , ceptionally calm and uncommunicative about it, says the New Zealand Herald. When seen at the Hobsonville air base on Monday Mr. Chichester would not make any. statement about the rumoured flight, and when it was mentioned that nis .partner, Mr. Goodwin, was credited with saying in Wellington that Mr. Chichester was awaiting a suitable oportunity to take off for Australia he merely suggested that Mr. Goodwin be aslce.d to explain his statement. Mr. Chichester, who made a solo flight from England to Australia early last year, is at present a member of the New Zealand Territorial Air Force and is now at Hobsonville for the purpose of doing his annual course of training. He was here last November for a similar purpose. His next period of training was not due. but ‘as lie came north with liis plane to assist with the air service to the Hawke’s [ Bay earthquake area, the opporunity • was taken to attach him to the base for • his course. It is not very easy to get this accomplished airman to talk about himself or liis doings and the difficulty of getting him to reveal his intentions is increased by a recent order from Well-' ington instructing flying officers, that no information concerning the operation of the Air Force is to be made public by any but the responsible officere in Wellington. As at present placed Mr. Chichester is virtually a member of the New Zealand Air Force and considers that the order applies to him as well. It is stated that Mr. Chichester proposes to equip hi® machine with floats for alighting on the water in the event of a forced landing and that, he intends to carry a collapsible rubber boat. His aeroplane, now at Hobsonville, is a Gipsy Moth. She has no floats and as .far as can be ascertained there are no suitable floats in New Zealand If it should be necessary to import them considerable delav would be caused,. There are few aeroplanes in New Zealand that would lie suitable for a transTasman flight and it is thought that the Faire.v 111. F.. stationed at Hobsonville, would be; the most likely to make a safe crossing.