OUT OF THE BLUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20821, 13 March 1931, Page 17

OUT OF THE BLUE.

Bert Hinkler intends to pr° duce his Ibis amphibian in the United States.

('zecho Slovakia is constructing six new aerodromes, and erecting 13 aerial beacons.

The Comper Swift for Mr. West, oi Whakatane, has arrived, and will bo tested out by .Flight-Lieutenant Allan this week.

Five men have been employed for some time in levelling an area of about 48 acres on the Wanganui airport. It is intended officially to open tho airport on March 2b.

Franco's hope for the Schneider Lup, Kadi Lecointe, is test pilot to the firm of Nieuport Delage. A machine with a Lorraine-Dietrich engine oi 2200 h.p. is being built.

For reasons of economy the Egyptian Government has decided to reduce the , number of aircraft to be purchased to form the nucleus of an Air Force fiom ten to five.

Flight-Lieutenant Owen arrived in Wanganui by aeroplane last luesday, landing at the. aerodrome. In the evening he was the guest of the Wanganui Club and at the function related the story of his flight from England to Australia.

The drone of an aeroplane over New riymouth about 10.30 p.m. last Thursday caused quite a stir. It was a Western Federated Aero Club machine, piloted by Flying-Officer Keith, and carrying Mr. N Darby as/ passenger, and took the opportunity for the first time in New Plymouth of indulging in night Hying, there being a perfect moon.

Residents of Knponga experienced unusual excitement last week-end, ft Blackburn-Bluebird aeroplane, which had been competing at the New Plymou / pageant, visited tho town. The machine, which was piloted by Mr. Blackmore, had as passenger Dr. E. M. Hocken, superintendent of the Hamilton Hospital, and formerly of Kaponga. -t* lo plane landed in Mr. R. Law's paddock, and, being tho first one to be seen at close quarters near the township, attracted » lot of attention.

Tt has been compulsory in tho past for fi.ll aeroplanes ciossing Cook Strait to Report at both Wellington and Blenheim, so that it will ho known that they have not met trouble while over the water. As Blenheim is not directly on the route from Christchurch to Wellington, this means a loss of time, and now it has been arranged that the lighthouse-keeper at Cape Campbell shall report aeroplanes to Wellington. To notify machines that he has seen them the lighthouse-keeper will fire a Vorey flare. Eliminating Blenheim will mean a saving of about 20 minutes between Wellington and Christchurch.

Danrievirke is now the possessor of a glider, built locally and intended for the instruction and sport of members of tho Danuevirke Gliding Club, which now numbers 80. The machine has been built of the best materials only unci the fuselage is finished in bright red, with the wing-coveririgs and tail sections in silver. After a few mipor adjustments it is expected the glider will bo quite ready to take the air. On the roll of membership appear the names Mr. Oscar Garden and Captain R. Matheson, the latter having qualified for A, B, and C licences in gliding and sail planing in the 'Jthon Valley Ccliego, Germany. Mr. A. Ik. C. Claridge is instructor to the club.

Sorne experiences of the members of the Caterpillar Club havo been published, and these extracts give some instance ®f the accuracy of the statement that truth is stranger than fiction. In one instnnco the aircraft, it is thought, through some failure of the petrol supply system, caught fire. With Rrost bravery and presence of mind, tho P'<;>t steered'it clear of the aerodrome buildings before jumping with his parachute.

Another' pilot had tho experience of being struck by his falling aeroplane after had jumped. The impact broke ftr m, but ho was still able to pull the up cord of his parachute, and was not awaro of the i'ull extent of his injuries fentil after hp ]had landed.