ON ONE WHEEL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21781, 21 April 1934, Page 10

ON ONE WHEEL

LANDING AT HOBSONVILLE PILOT'S SKILFUL FEAT MACHINE DAMAGED AT TAKE-OFF HOW WARNING WAS CONVEYED A difficult landing on one wheel, made necessary by a mishap while taking off which resulted in the other wheel of his Moth aeroplane flapping uselessly out of position, was accomplished at Hobsonville air base late yesterday afternoon by SquadronLeador L. M. Isitt, officer commanding the base. The landing was made after a flight from Whangarei. Considerable anxiety was felt when a telephone message was received at Hobsonville that the machine, while taking off, had struck an obstruction that had caused a bolt in the undercarriage to give, allowing the left wheel to swing awkwardly. Flying one of the de Havilland Moths in use at Hobsonville, Squadron-Leader Isitt made a visit to Whangarei yesterday in connection with civil aviation. He landed on the Whangarei racecourse, and took off solo for the return flight about 4.20 p.m. Just as tho machine left tho ground, the left wheel came into violent contact with an obstruction, but the pilot continued, obviously unaware that the machine had suffered damage.

Message Laid Out On Ground A spectator at Whangarei, who witnessed the take-off, noticed as soon as the Moth was in the air that the lefthand wheel was hanging at an unusual angle, and realised that a serious mishap was possible if the pilot attempted to land without being advised of the damaged undercarriage. A message was sent to Hobsonville air base by» telephone, giving details of the occurrence, and arrangements were immediately made to warn the pilot when he appeared above the aerodrome. In response, to a request, FlightLieuteuant D. M. Allan, chief instructor to the Auckland Aero Club, flew over from Mangere to Hobsonville in one of the club's Moths, with a mechanic as passenger. A Verey light was prepared, to be fired to attract the squadron-leader's attention, and the ground staff at Hobsonville hastily laid out ground strips on the aerodrome, bearing the message "Left Wheel Missing." Practically the whole staff at Hobsonville assembled, anxiously waiting the arrival of the machine from Whangarei. When the Moth appeared about 5.20 p.m. flying from the north and at a comparatively low altitude on account of low-lying clouds, Flight-Lieutenant Allan took off and climbed rapidly,soon drawing alongside the service machine.

Ocular Messages Effective A mechanic in the front cockpit of the club Moth held aloft a wheel, the accepted method of warning a pilot that the landing-gear of his machine has been damaged, and at the same time members of the ground staff fired a red light, and one of them held up another wheel, thus providing a second warning. The messrfge on the landingfield was more explicit, and indicated to the pilot that a landing on the right wheel alone was imperative. The assembled crowd watched while the machine circled preparatory to landing. Squadron-Leader Isitt "sideslipped" the Moth to lose height, and then straightened out. The machine lost flying speed a few inches above the ground, and just before it touched, the pilot banked to the right. A skilful landing on one wheel was accomplished, and the machine, rapidly losing speed, ran a few yards before the useless left wheel touched. Without the support of the left wheel, the Moth heeled over until the tip of the lower port wing brushed the ground. Before coining to rest, it toppled forward slightly, causing minor damage to the metal propeller. It then settled in the ordinary position, and the pilot climbed out. perfectly safe, thanks to his own skill. It is hoped to have the machine ready for the air again by noon to-day.