AIRMEN DECIDE TO START

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20076, 13 October 1928, Page 12

AIRMEN DECIDE TO START

FLIGHT ACROSS TASMAN.

FAVOURABLE FORECAST. TAKE-OFF FIXED FOR 4.45 A.M. RETURN IF WEATHER NOT GOOD. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] BLENHEIM. Friday. A definite decision that the Southern Cross would take-off at 4.45 a.m. tomorrow on the flight to Australia was made at 11 o'clock to-night, when the airmen received a favourable weather re port from the Government meteorologist, Dr. E Kidson. Dr. Kidson's report, which embodied a report from Australia, was the most favourable yet received, and indicated that even though conditions for tho first 300 miles might be rough, tho latter part of tho journey should be fine FlightLieutenant Ulm was then called from bed and ho had a telephone conversation with Dr. Kidson, after which it was decided to make a start Immediately tho great searchlight at the aerodrome began sweeping the heavens in a signal to the people of the district. Departure with Escort. The airmen will bo called at 3.15 a.m and after breakfast will go to the aerodrome, where all is in readiness. The Southern Cross will bo escorted over the first 100 miles of her journey by Captain Findlay and Captain Buckley, in two Bristol fighters. Ships which will lend assistance en route are the Port Hunter, bound from Wellington to Australia, tho Maheno, about 100 miles out from Cook Strait, en route to Sydney, H.M.A.S. Australia, leaving Wellington to-night, tho Kai warra, bound for Sydney, the Moeraki, bound from Sydney to Suva. and the Vestvard, 50 miles from New Plymouth en route to Launceslon. According to a weather report received from Melbourne at six o'clock this evening westerly winds may be expected during the flight to 165 degrees east, but changing to west-south-west. At about 160 degrees east there is a possibility of low clouds and showers, with a very slight possibility of thunder The weather over the last 400 miles of the 1534 miles of the route to le taken is expected to bo fine. The average head wind anticipated throughout the journey is 25 miles an hour, and the fliers have been advised that it will be of definite advantage to fly as low as possible to reduce the effect of the head winds. The steamer Maheno has been wirelessed and asked to send a special weather report to Blenheim at 3 a.m. Airmen's Determination.

Kingsford Smith said to-night that in tho event of heavy head winds being experienced the Southern Cross, once she took off, would "give it a go" for about seven hours, but if the bad conditions persisted for seven hours tho aeroplane would turn back to Blenheim, whero she would arrive about 12 hours after leaving. The return journey, with the wind, would be much more speedy than tho outward trip. The weather report issued by Dr. Kidson at 6 o'clock was unexpectedly favourable, and preparations were then put in hand in view of a favourable 11 o'clock report. The airmon enjoyed an hour of relaxation before going to bed to-night. Tho scene in their privato room at tho hotel was, a memorable one, and tho harmony which tboy managed to produce was remarkable. It attracted a crowd outside. A friend officiated at the piano while the airmen made music on improvised instruments.

COST OF OCEAN FLYING. PETROL AND LUBRICANTS. DEPRECIATION OF MACHINE. [BY TELEGRATH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] BLENHEIM. Friday. The cost of long-distance ocean flights was discussed to-day by Flight-Lieutenant Ulm, who said it was difficult to arrive at an exact figure, except for petrol and oil. Tho 750 gallons of petrol would cost £75 and tho 24 gallons of oil about £lO. Then camo tho question of depreciation. Including the Melbourne to Perth flight, which was in the nature of a lost for tho Tasnian flight, the depreciation of the Southern Cross by tho iimo it reached Sydney could be estimated at £BOO. MACHINE'S HEAVY LIFT. TOTAL NEARLY 13,000L8. NECESSITY FOR GOOD RUNWAY. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] BLENHEIM, Fridny Tho necessity for a good runway for tho Southern Cross was emphasised by somo figures given by Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith to-day. These show that when tho piano takes off it will be called on to lift a total weight of 12,8461b. This is not a record for the machine, for it lifted 15,8001b. when the airmen attempted to lower tho world endurance record at Snn Francisco early this year. Nevertheless it is a very heavy lift for a machine of her wing surface. The Southern Cross itself weighs 60001b. and tho 750 gallons ot petrol woigh 57001b. Tho following are addi tional weights which the machine carries: —24 gallons of lubricating oil, 2161 hj.; crow, 6401b.; rations. 401b.; smoke bombs, etc., 1501b.; mail matter. 1001b Tot.nl' 12,8461b.

BROADCASTING PLANS. STATIONS ON THE AIR. Tho four stations controlled by the Radio Broadcasting Company will bo on tho air to-day commencing shortly after 4 o'clock this morning. Tho Wellington station, 2YA will relay, by land lino and submarino cable, a description of the doparturo of the Southern Cross from Blenheim for Sydney. This description will bo robroadcast by the other stations with hourly summaries of the aeroplane's progress. They will also attempt to pick up any general information broadcast from the ueroplano in Morso. It. may also bo possible to pick up tho generator hum of tho machine's apparatus. Later in tho day the New Zealand sta tions wdl attempt, to robroadcast Aus tralian wireless stations, should atmospheric conditions permit. Tho description of tho departure from Blenheim will bo undertaken by Mr. J. Ball, of 2YA. A continuous service will bo provided by all New Zealand stations from tho time of doparturo to tho time of tho arrival of tho Southern Cross in Australia.