AVIATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18414, 21 May 1920, Page 4

AVIATION.

CAPTAIN DICKSON’S JOURNEY. Flying directly into tho teeth of ai strong southerly wind, Avro 4242, piloted by Captain Euan Dickson, left the Sockburn aerodrome at 11.3 a.m. yesterday for Fairlie and Mount Cook. The passengers to Fairlie were Mr R. F. Wigley, of the Mount Cook motor service, and Mr R. Banks, engineer to the Mackenzie Country. Tho original plan was to leave Sockburn at 8 a.m. yesterday, reaching Fairlie at 9.30, and flying ou to Mount Cook in an aerial survey of the country on behalf of the proposed Timai*u-Mount Cook Aviation Company. At eight o'clock, however, the weather, following on the gale overnight, was most boisterous and threatening, and although the passengers were at the aerodrome by 7.30 a.m., it was decided

to postpone the departure until weather reports we to available from Fairlio and the Mount Cook “ liermitage-' 1

A long-distance telephone message from Fairiie reported that the weather was cloudy, but line, with good visibility. An eight o’clock message from Mount Cook reported that there was Bnow on the ground and that snow’ was falling slightly. It was decided to make the trip to Fairlie at all events, and see what the conditions were there. It was originally intended to use the machine that made the Invercargill flight, No. 4237, but No. 4242 Was a little better 1 tuned up of the three Avros at present in commission, and it’ was selected.,

Flying coats, balaclavas and goggles were pub on by the passengers, and the pilot teas fur-helmoted and. wore a leather flying coat, in which was slipped a map of the country. The weather was very overcast, and the wind cold as, they climbed into the cockpit. After a little coaxing the engine started up with a roar, and after a little warming up the pilot gave a nod to the mechanics to pull the chocks away from the wheels, and the machine flew straight into .the south-wester and turned to the left over the aerodrome to gain altitude, and then flew straight into the south. The wind was dead *■ ahead and a bit bumpy near the ground, but the Avro climbed steadily but slowly and was soon out of sight. It left at 11.3 a.m. and was expected to be in Fairlie (100 miles) in time for the official luncheon to Be tendered there.

The question of flying on to Mount Cook was to be decided at Fairlie. If the ground was heavily coated with snow, an aerial survey would be impossible, as the nature of* the landing places and the-country generally would not be discernible from toe air.'

A very small parcel of yesterday’s issue of the “Lyttelton Times” went south by the Avro to be delivered at Fairlie or Mount Cook.

The Avro took enough petrol for hours, giving a flying radius of close on 300 miles. Mr J. E. Moore, mechanic, is at Fairlie, ready' to refill the tanks for the circuit of Mount Cook, which will be undertaken by Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P. for Temuka.

During ■Captain Dickson’s absence passenger flights at Sockburn will be taken by Captain Gray.

THE AVIATOR AT FAIRLIE. [From Our Correspondent. ] FAIRLIE. May 20. The Avro arrived at Fairlie at 3.1 G p.m., after a call at Waitui Flat for petrol. The machine was delayed fot one hour and a-half in consequence. A 30-mile per hour head wind was encofintpred on the trip. There are good prospeots for the trip to Mount Cook tomorrow morning.