AIRMAN'S PLIGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20620, 19 July 1930, Page 3 (Supplement)

AIRMAN'S PLIGHT.

HEMMED IN BY CLOUDS.

TOWN LOSES ITS SLEEP. The town of Maidstone, in Kent, was all " nerves " recently. There were dark rings under the eyes of many of its residents—the result of a dreadful night of sleeplessness. It was all because an airman, afc 1.25 in the morning, decided that the air over Maidstone was the best in the world, and for more than two hours, until the dawn came, he flew round and round monotonously, skimming the house tops. But Maidstone should not be angry, says the Daily Express. The airman was a prisoner in the air! At midnight the Belgian air mail had left Brussels, and it should have been safely down at Croydon at 1.25 a.m., but the pilot, soon after he passed over Maidstone at 1 a.m., found his way barred by low clouds and mist. He decided to turn back to the coast, but when he reached Maidstone again he discovered that he was completely surrounded by clouds, and he decided that the only thing to do was to fly round and round hoping for the weather to improve. At 1.45, a.m. the Maidstone police had a friendly' chat with Croydon Aerodrome, which in effect was: "There is a great aeroplane flying round and round here, making a terrible noise, frightening the people and, in fact, disturbing the peace. Can you do anything to move him off ? " Croydon knew a little more than the police. They assured the police that they would tell the pilot all they could about the weather, and perhaps he would be able to reach homeWeather reports were sent by wireless to the pilot in a steady stream, but he was taking no chances. By now the whole of the county town had been roused, and inhabitants who did not' understand the pilot's peril grew more and more indignant that their rest should be disturbed in such an unconventional way. Then, as dawn was breaking just before four o'clock, relief came. ■ Through the clouds there was a slight break, and the pilot picked his way throuch toward the coast, from whence he came over two hours before. Maidstone settled down to get a few hours sleep,, and the air mail completed its journey safely, although it. was some hours late.