Trans-Atlantic Glides Predicted

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 171, 22 July 1939, Page 11

Trans-Atlantic Glides Predicted

FRANKFORT, Minch. —Give young Ted Beliak, who flies gliders for fun and for business, another 25 or 30 years at it, and perhaps he’ll try soaring all the way over the Atlantic Ocean. The Newark, N. J., pilot, who traversed Lake Michigan as smoothly as a bird June 12 for what is claimed to have been the longest over-water glider flight, has predicted ocean flights via sailplane “in 25 or 30 years.” Mr Beliak, a sailplane engineer and gliding instructor, given*a lofty start by a tow plane, soared the 54 miles over Lako Michigan from Sturgeon Bay, Wig., to this point in one hour and two minutes. To his knowledge, the longest previous over-water flight was a 31mile hop over the English Channel. All told, ho estimated ho flew about 70 miles, from a starting altitude of 10,500 feet “downhill” to 8,000 feet when lie reached the Michigan shore line. The trip was made without difficulty, he said, although ho missed diroct.oni> and flew 20 miles off the course. From ventures such as this one, Mr Beliak said, the necessary iniormation on air currents, masses, and “soaring energies” may provide for an ocean flight ultimately. “We know,” lie said, “that a storm can start on this continent and wind up in Eurojie. A pilot might ‘ride’ a storm all tho way over the ocean, or, if it gives out on him, lie may find ‘isolated energy’ to use to the end of tho trip.” Mr Beliak confided that he had feared the Lake Michigan flight would end with his “dove of peace,” a Germanbuilt glider with a 63-foot wingspread, landing in tho water. He was luted with a lifebelt. “1 anticipated arriving over the Michigan shore at about 100 feet altitude,” he said, “but as a matter of fact, I was afraid I might go into the drink.” tho pursuit of science when you took up your solitary vigil at Advance Base through the six-months’ Antarctica winter night of 1934, Beaver College honours you to-day.”