AIR INQUIRY

Northern Advocate, 22 May 1929, Page 5

AIR INQUIRY

WHY WYNDHAM WAS CHOSEN STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE. SINGAPORE EASE CONNECTION. (Australian Press Association.) (Received 9 a.m.) SYDNEY, May 21. Continuing bis evidence before the Air Inquiry Committee, Lieutenant Ulm said it was difficult to pick up landmarks in North-West Australia, the bills presenting such similarity of characteristics.

Wyndham was chosen for the jump-ing-off place because that point was important in Australian defence, and they wanted the flight to illustrate the importance of the Singapore base, from which Richmond was only two days disjtnnt for the most powerful aeroplanes. They had been told already by highly placed authorities that their flights bad been of great national value. The Southern Cross carried more, efficient wireless than any other plane ever had, except Commander Byrd’s .Antarctic equipment, which had been made by |th.e same firm as produced the Southern Cross installation. REPUTATION CHALLENGED.

Witness said that the 'decision to get to Wymlham after sighting the Port George Mission was experimental. They had an immense amount at stake in getting there. As it happened, they encountered a head wind, and with dwindling petrol were compelled to turn back.

They had previously noticed that the only possible landing places near the mission contained mud and water, which would cause certain disaster. Other places contained outcrops of rock, which would make it unsafe. “We failed ito get .to Wyndham, and our reputations had been challenged throughout the world,” witness added.

In view of (the extraordinary weather variations dn North-West Australia, they would try in future to get fuller weather reports before starting a siniilair flight. PIONEERING INEVITABLE.

Capitaiu Hughes asked: “What is your view of the steps which should be itaken ’ to iregulialte long-distance flights in future?” Witness: “The question is too general. ' 'lf the Aviation Department assumes control of all pioneering work,' (then ’pioneering ceases. There will always be pioneers. There wilj always be casualties among pioneers. A few years'ago many people thought we were lunatics to fly the Pacific. Men like' Anderson and Hitchcock will always go -out and risk their lives in relief work, whether the Government, likes it or not.”

Captain Hughes: “You do not advise rogulatio-'ns?” .

: Witness: “I do not say that, but it would ftake me two .or 'three days to .consider the question. If it is In the inferesjts of aviation to give up long-distance flying, Smith and I will give it up.” “ COFFEE. P|OY»A L”• INCIDENTS.

Counsel then examined witness about the entries he had made in his diary at “Coffee Royal” as the airmen named the spat where they landed on the mud flat. In reply Ulm said some of the entries were written in ex t raw d iiu ary c ire urn st an e es. On reading the diary again he found ho had written: . “We might got acclimatised and probably he able to walk to - Derby. ’’ He now believed that would have been impossible.

Counsel:. ‘ ‘.You.,had ■ neither an emergency wireless set (nor a proper set of tools?’ ’ • V Witness: “They were not necessary.’ ’ Counsel: “So you would rather cut down a tree with a. screwdriver?’’ Witness: “I .doulht whether a hacksaw would have boon much good.”

Counsel: “Is it a mere coifncider.ee that the agreement. with your company sots out that you were to start the flight nojt later than March 30?” Witness: “Nothing more than a coincidence. ”

Counsel '.showed Ulm a i>hotograph of the marooned orew on the mud flat after the rescue. They wore, attired mi shorts, stripped to the waist and all smiling as they held Pilot Heath on their shoulders. Counsel: “Was that the most suitable wav to dress, with flie-s and mosquitoes so bad?”

Witness: “Flics on the bare skin are not so troublesome as under your shirt?” Witness denied absolutely that, there .was a'nything in the nature of a stunt about the forced landing.

KOOKABURRA CALAMITY,

DISCOVERY DETAILED. CAPTAIN BRAIN’S TESTIMONY. (Australian Press Association.) , (Received f) a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. After Lieuenaiiit Uim had concluded his evidence before the Air Inquiry Committee yesterday, Captain Lrstor Brain, who took part in the search for the Kookaburra, detailed incidenis leading up to the discovery of tlinjt aeroplane, with the dead body beneath the wing. Ho was asked by Air Hammond to suggest precautions for'the-safety of those who undertook long flights.

Witness said that a machine like the Southern Cross could undertake flights which other machines were ulnable to tackle. Nevertheless it was advisable that the crew should take at least three days’ supply of food and water, also a radio set which would function as efficiently from the ground as from the air. Tools sufficient to do light repairs should also be taken.

"Witness- gave further evidence that ho did not think an aeroplane of the type of the Kookaburra: should attempt a long-distance flight over waterless country. It had a very small engine and/was carrying a heavy load, which would tax - the engine’s capacity to the utmost. Anderson and Hitchcock knew that they had a -faulty compass, and their safest policy would have been to fly to Newcastle Waters and then to W’ave Hill.

The committee announced that it would adjourn till Thursday and would hear evidence next week in Melbourne.