SURPRISE FLIGHT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 30 March 1931, Page 4

SURPRISE FLIGHT

, ACROSS THE TASMAN CHICHESTER HOPS OFF FIRST STAGE TO NORFOLK ISLAND (By Telegraph—Press Association) WELLINGTON, 28th March. Tlie Director of Air Sendees, WingCommander Grant Dalton, announced that in an attempt to fly to Sydney bv an indirect route, Flight-Lieutenant t. C. Chichester left Parenga, in the far north of New Zealand, for Norfolk -Island, at 11.30 a.m. to-day. From Norfolk Island the aviator intends to fly to Lord Howe Island, and from there to Sydney. Flight-Lieutenant Chichester is flying solo in the Motli aeroplane in which he flew from England to Australia, and which has been converted into a seaplane. He flew from tlie Hobsonville. air base, at Auckland, to Parenga this morning, and was reported passing over the coast en route for Norfolk Island at noon. It is estimated that the aviator should reach Norfolk Island in about five hours with the wind in its presentquarter. hut he lias petrol supplies enough to last him for nine hours. The aeroplane is equipped with a wireless transmitting set, and the, pilot intends sending out his position, taking observations of the sup. every hour, on the half hour. The set operates on a wavelength of 43 metres, and the call sign is ZKAK.

PROGRESS MESSAGES AUCKLAND, 28th March. It is learned that Chichester, whose call sign is ZKAK, is sending brief messages half-hourly ,\ and when he lands at Norfolk Island, which he is expected to do between four o’clock and five, he will send three words, “Cut out, landing.” Chichester left the Hobsonville Base without announcing his destination, and the officials did not know it until he wired from Parenga. Tlie airman lias been studying navigation.; and before leaving Parenga expressed great confidence of success. At 1 o’clock Chichester reported that he was 120 miles off the New Zealand coast, and had a wind blowing at 24 miles with him. He was going well, and the weather was good.

SAFE ARRIVAL AT NORFOLK ISLAND AUCKLAND, 28th March. • A cable was received from Chichester stating that he landed safely at Cascades, Norfolk Island, at 4.45 island time.

DEPARTURE DELAYED TROUBLE WITH ENGINE WELLINGTON, This Day. The Secretary of the General Post Office received the following regarding Chichester:—“Chichester arrived at Norfolk Island at 4.45 p.m. on Saturday. He made several attempts to get away to-day, but owing to , the choppy sea and trouble with the engine and floats, his departure was delayed.” Advice received through another channel stated :“Chichester was very tired. He left his machine out in the open roadstead. His main anxiety was a quick refuel. Local facilities for refuel were not completed.until after dark on Saturday. He is the guest- of the Administrator, Colonel Bennett. He intended to leave at 8 o’clock on Sunday morning, hut if unable to leave he intended to postpone his departure until Mondav.” AUCKLAND, This Day. . Chichester cabled yesterday to the Auckland “Star”: “No. 3 cylinder bracing stay snapped. Repairing delayed.” The message was timed 12.25 pan. Experienced airmen are of the opinion that Chichester is likely to have great difficulty in taking off from Norfolk on account of the swell.