ANTARCTIC NONSTOP

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 2 May 1935, Page 7

ANTARCTIC NONSTOP

FLIGHT BY SIR HUBERT WILKINS LOOKING FOR PILOTS (United Press Association—By Elcetr/ Telegraph—Copyright) TORONTO, 30th April.. Sir Hubert Wilkins interviewed air pilots here and will interview others in Western Canada with a view to finding two to accompany him and Lincoln Ellsworth on what may be the first nonstop 2900 mile flight across the Antarctic. He favoured Canadian pilots, the only ones, with the possible exception of Russians, with sufficient experience of similar climatic conditions. Only two pilots will travel with the expedition which it is stated will leave the United States early in October with plans practically the same as the first' attempt in 1933," when the ’plane was crushed in an ice fissure. From the Weddell Sea base the flight will he across the South Pole to the extreme side of the continent, for the purpose of determining whether Antarctica is one continent.

COMMERCIAL AEROPLANE AIR MINISTRY’S PRIZE CONDITIONS NOT ACCEPTABLE LONDON, Ist May. The “Daily Telegraph’s” aviation writer referring to the Air Ministry’s £25,000 prize' for the best medium-size commercial aeroplane produced by a British firm, says in its present form the aircraft industry has rejected the offer. There have been no entries. The prize must he much bigger, and the plans altered, or there will he no competition.

MECHANICAL PILOT “•MYSTERY TRANSPORT PLANE" RECORD FLIGHT LOS ANGELESNEW YORK NEW YORK, 30th April. A new design “mystery transport plane” of Trans-Continental Western Air Lines, reported to he navigated by a mechanical pilot, arrived at New York at 6.59 to-night, making a record commercial flight from Los Angeles in 11 hours 5 minutes non-stop. The average speed was 220 miles per hour.

PERSONAL THANKS MRS ULM GOING TO HONOLULU SYDNEY, Ist May. Mrs Ulm sailed by the Mariposa today for Honolulu for the purpose of expressing personal thanks to the heads of the American navy and air force for their magnificent part in searching for her husband when he disappeared on the trans-Pacific flight. She will then proceed to America, remaining some months. Later she will he joined by Mrs Little, john, widow of anoeber metfibev of the ill-fated crew.

SPECIAL AIR MAIL NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA KINGSFORD SMITH’S FLIGHT SYDNEY, lst'May. Sir Charles Kingston! Smith announc. ed that the monoplane Faith in Australia will accompanv the Southern Cross on the Tasman flight on 14th May, the intention being upon the return flight to bring New Zealand in direct air mail contact with London for the first- time. Sir Charles will pilot the Southern Cross, with John Stannage as radio operator-. Captain Taylor will pilot the Faith in Australia with Scolvin as radio operator.. The. machines will fly in formation to New Zealand