AVIATION BOOMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 2 April 1929, Page 5

AVIATION BOOMS

IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS PLANNED WORLD FLIGHTS IMMINENT SYDNEY, 22nd March. Interest in civil aviation matters at the present time in Sydney is at top pitch. There have been many innovations and the general public is* taking a greater interest in aviation than; ever before. First and foremost in the public mind is the projected flight of the famous airmen, Kingsford Smith and TJlm, to England. Daily their huge Fokker monoplane hovers over the city, swooping down at times, it seems almost to the. tops of the tall buildings. The partners are testing their big 'plane before they make their hop-off to England. Adverse weather conditions at various landing places in Australia is at present holding them up, but they have announced that the flight will commence before the end of the month at the latest. An example of the ramifications which their flight to England involves, is given by the fact that before they could hop off it was necessary to get into touch with governments, rulers and tribal chiefs controlling various tracts across which the Southern Cross will fly. Permission had to be sought from each one of these bodies and individuals in order that annoying delays should not occur when the flight is in progress. Last communication was received a few days ago from the Persian Government giving the airmen permission to' land in various parts of that country.

NIGHT FLYING

An innocation in Australia this week will be a series of night flying, passen-ger-carrying journeys made by Pilot Shortridge, a member of the N.S.W. Aero Club. Night flying in Australia has hitherto been out of the question owing to the' question of air beacons. Landing and taking oft", as well as general course-setting, is difficult in the dark, but the Aero Club has erected at Mascot aerodrome a set of air beacons and searchlights which will be tested when Pilot Shortridge makes his night flights with passengers. His plane will be lit with flares, and already in a number of test, flights, which he had carried out alone, the efficacy of the innovations has been proved. The wings of his machine, a Gipsy Moth, will be lit with flares, and the machine will present a weird sight as it soars over the city and suburbs at night. The Aero Club aims at establishing a chain of aerodromes and landing grounds equipped with lights for landing and taking off at night. A series of power tul air beacons throughout the country and along the coast is also proposed. The Federal Government, in conjunction with the States, is also moving in making improvements to recognised aerodromes such as Mascot and Richmond. Elaborately fitted-up workshops capable of handling all sorts of mechanical work m connection with aeroplanes and seaplanes are being constructed on the grounds, while skilled workmen are being trained exclusively in fuselage construction and repair work. Important developments have also been made in the last week or two in the perfection of wireless telephony between aeroplanes whilst in the air. During an Aero Club aerial picnic last Saturday, pilots and passengers in two adjacent 'planes, as well as in. Other machines in the flight talked freely to each other by means of wireless. While the flock of aeroplanes were in the air their pilots and passengers discussed among themselves, through the radio telephone, possble landing grounds where they could alight and spread 'their afternoon tea cloths. Several ships 360 miles away reported having heard the conversations. Further experiments are being carried out this week-end with a view to perfecting the selectivity of th sets used in the aeroplanes. Meanwhile, the Defence Department controllor of military aviation, has not been idle. Two shipments of modern fighting and scouting 'planes are now on the seas for the Australian Air Force, and when these machines are landed and assembled an aerial pageant, it has been announced, will bo staged over Sydney, which will outrival any ever before seen by Australia.