RlOO Undergoing Repairs

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7295, 4 August 1930, Page 7

RIOO Undergoing Repairs

OFFICERS HOFE TO FULFIL CANADIAN SCHEDULE. United Press Association.—By Electri* Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Sunday, 9 p.m. WASHINGTON, Aug. 2. Secretary Adams .of tho Navy Department, stated that the facilities at Lakchurst were available for the' use the dirigible RIOO if hangar space is required to effect repairs. Reports from Montreal, however, indicate that RIOO’s officers hope that such a move will prove unnecessary in order to fulfil the. proposed Canadian schedule. A message from Saint Hubert states that repairs to the stabilising fin of RIOO were well under way on Saturday while the ship was moored to the mooring mast 200 feet above ground. Windy weather is delaying progress. Meantime plans are indefinite for the Canadian trips and no date is set for the return trip. An Uneventful Journey British Official Wireless. RUGBY, Aug. 1. The log of the journey of Airship RIOO, which is safely moored at St. Hubert, Montreal, reveals that thcM’oyago in tho early stages was relatively uneventful. Cards and sleep were the most popular methods of passing the time. Everybody was able to keep warm without rccoitrso to his flying kit and tho electric radiators in the passengers’ cabins were not needed. Tho time spent in the air was about 79 hours, of which eight had been due to a damaged fin. DESIGNER’S COMMENTARY ST. HUBERT, Aug. 1. "Wc never had a bump all tho way across tho Atlantic, and everything went perfectly until wc reached Father Point, Quebec. There we ran into a bad bump and the jar tore the fabric on a stablising fin. The damage was temporarily repaired and is negligible,” said Sir Dcunistoun Burney, Director of Aircraft Development, and designer of RIOO, following her arrival. He added that five tons of fuel were left when the airship was moored. The most valuable thing learned was that travel by airship was the most comfortable means of transportation. The course taken was the most feasible for commercial use, if larger airships wei'C used. It was a very good test of the airship’s ability. The chief benefit they had derived was experience. Long flights were needed to gain experience in handling lighter-than-air craft.