MISSING MONOPLANE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20841, 7 April 1931, Page 9

MISSING MONOPLANE.

SEARCH NEARING AN END. FORTNIGHT'S FRUITLESS EFFORTS MELBOURNE, April 6. After more tlinn a fortnight's search for tho missing monoplane Southern Cloud the operations by air are to bo suspended to-morrow. The ground parties probably will continue the search for a few days.

"Shorty" to his many friends, but really Travis William 'Shortridge, the pilot, of the missing Southern Cloud has been one of the most popular fliers in the Commonwealth, says an Australian newspaper. Airmen are unanimous that no flying man in Australia would have a better chance of saving his passengers when in difficulties than Mr. Short ridpe He? is placed on a level with Air-Commodore Kingsford Smith himself. Mr. Shortridge was known for his versatility and dry humour —many a good laugh' has the airmen's mess had at his quick wit. It was "Shorty" who bet Amy Johnson, when sho was out here, that he could make her sick of the air. He took her up in an Aero Club Moth, negotiated every kind of spin, loop, screw and dive that, is known to the aeronautical world. He dashed at the club's building from a great height and zoomed just over the roof —in fact, ho "fiew the tail off the plane." But, for all that, "Shorty" lost the bet.

With nil his jesting, however, Pilot Shortridge was a shrewd airman. Ho always regarded (lie best airman as the one who knew when he was beaten by the elements; one who. in dirty weather, was able to say: "This is no good. I'm getting home." His interest in the younger fliers revealed the true man. Ho told them all the wrinkles he knew and assisted them to find their air legs. With the Sydney Aero Club ho achieved remarkable success as an instructor.

Now some of his former pupils are searching for "Shorty." Among (hem is Mr. F. K. Bardsley, of Sydney, who lias been operating over Wangaratta. Mr. Short ridge has done some wonderful work in co-oporation with the photographers and motion picture men. He has been much sought after by them. The owners of the most expensive machines have, with the greatest confidence, allowed him to 11 v them. A machine was no good, if "Shorty" said so. Mr. Sliortridpc advised Mr. Dave Smith not lo flv the fast Tiger Moth last year. Smith did so and he was killed. Mr. Shortridgc thought (hat only the most experienced men should handle such a machine and he did not hesitate to express bis opinions. Thought for the comfort of passengers was his maxim in (bo air. He did everything m bis power (o see that his passengers bad a comfortable flight. In bad weather, airmen say, be would be the last man (o decide (o "pet through or bust." Hut her, he would bide his time until conditions wore favourable.