FLIGHT TO ENGLAND.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 219, 12 August 1930, Page 7

FLIGHT TO ENGLAND.

CUNNINGIIAME’S ’PLANE. NEW PARTS ORDERED. WELTEVREDEN, Aug. 11. An examination of Mr Andrew Cunningham’s aeroplane —lie set out from Sydney recently on a flight to London—was made to-day. The examination showed a worn crank-axle and a choked oil pipe. New parts have been ordered. A trial flight of tho ’plane was also made. Mr Cunningham, was trained by the New South Wales Aero Club. lie got liis first certificate in March, 1928, and Ilia final certificate later that year. Ho was one of the most successful of tho clubtrained pilots. Tho biplane he is using on tho flight to England was manufactured at tho works of the General Aircraft Company, Limited, Mascot. The machine is fitted with a 105-115 h.p. Cirrus Ifermes engine, and is in all respects similar to machines which have been built by this company for service in Queensland and elsewhere in the Commonwealth. Mr Cunningham was one of tho pilots in tho aviation race from Sydney to Perth last October, and mado good time during that flight, though later lie had an accident. On that occasion he showed ingenuity which will ho of assistance to him in the light to England. In a forced landing the machine used in the east-west raco was damaged. Mr Cunningham repaired it with pieces cut from petrol tins, some wire and cord, and mado a wooden support by bending a sapling. In this condition tho machine was flown to Melbourne and later to liis homo near Canberra.