IN THE AIR

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1937, Page 5

IN THE AIR

ATLANTIC FLIGHT PARTICULARS OF DOUBLE EVENT, (Per British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 6. Many congratulatory telegrams were received by the commanders of the “Caledonia” and the Pan-American Clipper, on the successful accomplishment of the ’ trans-Atlantic flights. Among the messages received by each commander, was one from Lord Swinton. .

The “Caledonia” flew low to minimise the effects of ’headwinds, while the Clipper maintained a height of about 10,000 feet, to take full advantage of the following winds.

Wilcoekson, commander of the “Caledonia,” said he had petrol left for eight to nine hundred miles when he landed. In his view, the promising feature, of the flight was the evidence it afforded of two planes flying to schedule in opposite directions. Radio contacts with land stations and between ’planes were maintained throughout, and when they passed in mid-Atlantic, although out of sight of each other, they exchanged greetings and weather reports. The success of the flight has convinced the pilots there should be no difficulty in operating regular transAtlantic services. COMMANDERS’ REPORT. NEW YORK, July 6. A North American newspaper, Alliance, in a message from Grey, at Fpjnes, says: “The sight of Ireland was really welcome. We were not tired. The flight was entirely pleasant. During the first part of the going it was remarkably smooth and the skies wdre clear. We checked our bearings with the Caledonia when she was passing sixty miles from us. Then we met rain. It became a soupy grey, and we depended on the instuments for obtaining our hearings from nine steamers one hundred miles from Ireland. The clouds broke before the landing.” BOTWOOD (Newfoundland), July 6. Interviewed by a representative of the New York Times, Wilcoekson, Commander of the Caledonia, said: “The weather conditions were not so good. For most of the way there were low a drizzle and headwinds. We were delighted, therefore, that the trip occupied so short a time. We used seventeen hundred gallons of petrol. Conditions were perfect approaching Newfoundland.” A BALLOON RACE. i BRUSSELS, July 6. ' A Belgian, Ernest Dmuyter, won the Gordon Bennett balloon race for the second year in succession, covering 872 miles in 46 hours.