PACIFIC FLYING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22608, 22 December 1936, Page 11

PACIFIC FLYING

PAN-AMERICAN PROJECT SURVEYING THE ROUTE EXPERTS REACH DOMINION SELECTING SUITABLE BASE The completion of Pan-American Airways' survey of the route for its projected service from America to New Zealand has been brought appreciably nearer by the arrival by the Niagara yesterday with the company's representative, Mr. Harold Gatty, of three technical experts, Mr. A. Francis, meteorologist, Mr. W. T. Jarboe, who deals with radio communications, and Mr. M. M. Thompson, ground engineer. Speaking of the future of the project, Mr. Gatty said it was planned to continue in New Zealand the investigations that had already been made over the northern portion of the route. In addition to tho three experts who would be stationed in New Zealand, a meteorologist and a radio expert travelled to Suva by the Niagara and would continue investigations at Pago Pago and co-operate with tho New Zealand party. It was not certain how long the investigations in the Dominion would take, and no information was available about test flights. Company's Agreement Mr. Gatty said he was unable to discuss at this stage what attitude the company was taking toward its agreement with the Government, which will expire on December 31 unless the service has been begun or an extension obtained. He denied that there was any difficulty over the much-discussed reciprocity clause, which, in its original form, provided that the agreement could bo cancelled after 12 months' notice if a British company failed to obtain from the American Government similar privileges for a transpacific service to those granted the company in New Zealand. There had been a lot of guesswork on the subject and much of it was incorrect. The things the company had wanted changed in the agreement were minor points which did not matter much. Meanwhile research would continue into various aspects of the service iu the company's usual careful manner. A certain amount of apparatus had been brought out to New Zealand to help in the work, but assistance would also be sought from local sources where possible. Mr. Francis, for instance, would confer with the Government meteorologist in Wellington. Mr. Thompson's investigations would include an examination of suitable bases in Auckland. Lady's Bay had not been definitely decided on for this purpose. Experienced Specialists The men accompanying Mr. Gatty have all had long experience in their particular spheres. Mr. Francis has been engaged in meteorology for 18 years. He was in the submarine service during the war and after the Armistice turned his attention definitely to the aerial side of his subject. He was one of the crew of the dirigible Macon when she crashed in the Pacific in 1935 arid lie has vivid memories of the minutes between the occurrence of the break which led to the crash and the airship's descent into the water. There were other anxious moments when burning gasoline spread over the ocean clotted with airfilled rafts in which the crew took refuge before being picked up by naval craft. Two of the dirigible's complement were killed.

JNIr. Francis emphasised the wide field covered to-day by the weather services attached to flying organisations. Pan-American Airways covered an area from the interior of China to Chicago, or a quarter of the earth's surface, with its daily weather service in connection with the North Pacific service. It was proud of the fact that in a round trip over 16,000 miles of sea on a 13-day schedule, the machines had never arrived back more than three days late, in.spite of flying always with perfect safety. Elimination of Hazards " Commercial flying to-day is a science, not just a stunt," he .said. " You cannot fly profitably and make it an adventure. Hazards have to be cut out and we claim practically to have done that." From information at his disposal so far Mr. Francis thought that although at times there would be unpleasant weather, there should bo less difficulty in flying in the South Pacific than in the North. Mr. Jarhoe has been connected with the company for over six years and he has specialised in radio work in connection with the opening up of now routes. He took part in the test (lights that pioneered the service to Manila. Mr. Thompson's headquarters have been at Honolulu, where he has been engaged in construction and maintenance work in connection with the North Pacific service.