FLYING IN AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20598, 24 June 1930, Page 9

FLYING IN AUSTRALIA.

BRISBANE TO ADELAIDE. FAST TRIP TO FUNERAL. Mr. L. J. Brain, chief pilot and manager of Qantas Airways, broke existing Australian inter-State records on June 8, when he flew, with Mr. J. Just, from Brisbane to Adelaide in 12 hours' flying time, and completed tho trip in ono and a-half days. Tho machino was chartered by Mr. Just, who had received news of the death of his mother. To attend the funeral ho flew to Adelaide, leaving Brisbane at 7 o'clock on Saturday. He reached Adelaide on Sunday in time fp step into a car and attend the funeral. The aeroplane was a four-passenger de Haviland.

Mr. Brain only remained in Adelaide for a quick meal, while his machine was being refuelled, and then left on his return flight, Brisbane being reached on Tuesday morning. "I want to emphasiso that the flight was in no way a stunt," said Mr. L. J. Brain, chief pilot and manager of the Qantas Air Lines, on his return to Brisbane, after a total trip of 1300 miles. He added that it was strictly n commercial flight. Mr. Just had hired the aeroplane to take him to Adelaide in time to attend his mother's funeral, "and the job was done."

Mr. Brain stated that with a niachino like the liippomones it would be possible to fly from Brisbane to Adelaide in ono day, making two hops—Brisbane to Nyngan, in New South Wales, and Nyngan to Adelaide. Flying time would thus bo brought down to seven hours. He had flown via Coff's Harbour, Sydney, Narrandera, and Mildura, stopping at Narrandera for the night, and refuelling there, and at the other places mentioned. Discussing flying, Mr. Brain said that several years ago he had thought of attempting a flight from England to Australia Asked what he thought had been tlio best flight from England to Australia from a commercial point of view, Mr. Brain unhesitatingly replied: "Cobham's." He explained that ho gave the laurel to Sir Alan Coblt'am because the latter had shown how the England-Aus-tralia air route would operate to Darwin. Cobham used floats, and at Darwin replaced them with wheels. Mr. Braiu added that tho only thing required to mako practical a commercial air routo between England aud Australia was thorough organisation along tho route. With regard to landing grounds ami weather reports, present-day aeroplanes would bo thoroughly safo, using land machines for tho long land stretches, and seaplanes or flying boats for the sea stages.