FAST FLIGHT MADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20903, 19 June 1931, Page 13

FAST FLIGHT MADE.

NEW PLYMOUTH-AUCKLAND.

AN HOUR AND THREE-QUARTERS

LOCALLY-TRAINED PILOT.

Aided by a strong following southerly wind, a Gipsy Moth aeroplane piloted by Mr. J. M. Stevenson, and carrying as a passenger his brother, Mr. W. A. Stevenson, accomplished a flight from New Plymouth to Auckland tho fast time of an hour and three-quarters. Tho distance is about 160 miles, if the coastline is followed. Mr. Stevenson, who is a member of the Auckland Aero Club, and his brother made tho trip to New Plymouth on Monday. When tho two men went to the New Plymouth aercdrome at 10 o'clock yesterday morning the wind was very gusty and the machine did not leave until 2.45 p.m. The wind had not moderated appreciably, but as conditions were otherwise excellent, it was decided to make the trip. It was necessary to climb to a height of 5030 ft. to .avoid the bumps experienced at lower altitudes. Following the coastline the aeroplane was kept at 6000 ft. until the Waikato River was reached, when the machine descended to 2000 ft. After passing Kawhia the pilot struck a couise inland- over Pukekohe to the Mangero aerodrome, reaching there at 4.30.

Visibility during the whole of the flight was excellent. .Even at 5000 ft. no clouds were encountered and the two occupants of the aeroplane were afforded splendid panoramic views' of the coastline extending for many miles. When Mr. W. A. Stevenson stepped into tho machine at. Mangere on Monday afternoon piior to leaving for New Plymouth ho was beginning his first flight. " The bunipiness encountered during the early stages of the return flight was quite a novel experience for him," said his brother last evening.

This is the fust individual flight of a long distance made by a member in one of the aero club machines. It is now possible for qualified members approved by the elub instructor to undertake long cross-country flights.