AVIATION AT HOME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19195, 8 December 1925, Page 9

AVIATION AT HOME.

LESSONS AND PROGRESS. RISK OF FLIGHTS IN FOG. A. and N.Z. LONDON, Dec. 6. It is learned that the Air Ministry, after , a costly series of experiments ex- | tending over three years, is inclining to | the belief that flying in fog will never be | commercially practicable, owing to the i human limitations of pilots. i ' Even the most daring performers of | stunts show a marked disinclination to lose sight, of the ground. The trust to ini struments of proved reliability for giving j height and direction, and to the gvro- | scopes for ensuring stability. In a fog the. pilots essay low flying, j which is attended by appalling risks of I collision with trees, chimneys and other I objects. So few pilots are able to overcome this natural psychological trait that the Air Ministry is likely to abandon the fogflying programme. Apart from the installation of emergency apparatus in civilian aerodromes, the Royal Air Force, in the next two I years, will be equipped exclusively with all-metal aeroplanes, in the construction I of which enormous progress has been I made in the direction of saving weight and wear. Gradually the whole of the existing wood and fabric machines will be scrapped. A new leviathan—a ICOO-horse-power flying boat, with a duralum hull—is undergoing tests in preparation for a 1200miles service flight. PLANES AND AIRSHIPS. SUCCESS IN DETACHMENT. j A. and N.Z. LONDON, Dec. 6. ! The launching and reattaching of a j plane from and to dirigible R33 was sue- j cessfully carried out during a flight in j perfect sunshine. Squadron-Leader Haig was lowered from i the central gondola, took his seat in the j plane, and cast off. After flying a short distance the .v.r- j man successfully rehooked the plane, | which was then hoisted by a trapeze to its original position, and the pilot rejoined the crew of the airship. The Air Ministry describes the trial as completely satisfactory.