UP IN AN AEROPLANE.
B7 VERNON BENNER (12 marks), To Puke. One day during the holidays I had an opportunity to go from Auckland to Milford in an aeroplane. 1 accepted the offer as I had never experienced the novelty before. Being a clear day and tho visibility good, we arranged to leave at 10 a.m. At ten minutes to ten i was fidgeting to get away, and kept tho plane in view, so I would not be left behind. I went into the aerodrome to don my flying clothes. On returning, I felt very proud, as I was wearing a leather flying cap and a bulky fur coat. On stepping into the cockpit 1 was struck by its similarity to a bucket: tho seat was so low. Giving tho machine a crank, tho pilot stepped inside and slammed the door; the propeller spun round, and with a mighty roar the plane tore along the ground, for about fifty yards. Gradually tho ground left us, and in a ' few seconds wo had ascended two thousand feet into the crystal paradise of azure blue space. The exhilarating air made mv blood tingle in my veins. Looking over the side I beheld far below, tho city of Auckland, and the
white horses prancing in the harbour. The roofs of the houses sparkled in the bright sunshine, while the trams, motors, and people looked like myriads of insects crawling about. I asked the pilot if we could loop the loop. He agreed. I must admit I felt slightly nervous and held on. I felt a shiver run down my spine, as he turned its nose straight down, and we hopped several hundred feet, then we shot forward, and looped the loop. I was surprised to discover that when wo were doing the stunt, I sat hard on the seat instead of finding it hard to stay in. As you know, if you swing a bucket of water over your head, the air will hold it in. It did the same with me. f?non Milford hove in sight, a lid wo glided down, and taxied aloncc the beach for a short distance and came to a standstill. I stepped out feeling rather shaky, and glad to bo on terra firma again.
THE CHALLENGE.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19300719.2.148.45.16
Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20620, 19 July 1930, Page 4 (Supplement)
Word Count
379UP IN AN AEROPLANE. New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20620, 19 July 1930, Page 4 (Supplement)
Using This Item
NZME is the copyright owner for the New Zealand Herald. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons New Zealand BY-NC-SA licence . This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of NZME. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Auckland Libraries and NZME.