FLIGHT STORY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22922, 28 December 1937, Page 11

FLIGHT STORY

COMMANDER'S VIEWS FUTURE OF ROUTE DEFINITELY PRACTICABLE PERSONALITY AND ABILITY New Zealand has every reason to feel proud of the young New Zealander, Captain J. W. Burgess, who piloted the Imperial Airways flying-boat Centaurus across the Tasman yesterday on the final stage of her survey flight from England. In his response to the official welcome which was tendered to his crew at the waterfront, and later in an interview, Captain Burgess impressed as being a man of outstanding capacity and great personality. Comments on the flight from England which were made by Captain Burgess were typical of the man himself. He regarded the whole programme as "part of the day's work," and paid tribute to the mechanical efficiency of his craft, the expert assistance of his officers, and the co-operation received from commercial aviation interests all along the route. Future of Flying-Boats When it comes to matters of commercial aviation over long stretches of ocean, Captain Burgess has unbounded confidence in the future of fjying-boats. The trip across the Tasman yesterday he said, was sufficient to prove that this particular ocean crossing was well within the scope of commercial enterprise, and he had no doubt that flyingboats immeasurably larger than the Centaurus would in future drop down on the waters of the Waitemata in perfect safety. "The trip from Sydney was absolutely uneventful," Captain Burgess said. "We took off from Rose Bay at four o'clock this morning, and before long were out of sight of land. We were up above the clouds and were able to get both a sun sight and a moon sight. We plotted our course accordingly, and from then 011 flew straight across the Tasman purely by astronomical calculation. Perfect Conditions "Conditions were absolutely perfect for that type of navigation," Captain Burgess continued, "but they may not always be perfect. On this occasion we had no need to use radio directionfinding. I would be the last person to suggest that this scientific: aid is not a supremely important factor in longdistance flying. In fact, I would suggest that it is absolutely essential that proper wireless equipment should be installed both at Sydney and Auckland, and also at Lord Howe Island, before a full commercial service isi undertaken. Without that I do not see how the service could be run."

There was cloud most of the way across the Tasman, Captain Burgess said, but the meteorological forecasts from both Australian and New Zealand authorities wore amazingly accurate. He had been told that he would encounter head-winds just above sealevel, bat following winds at higher altitudes. Accordingly he had climbed to 10.000 ft., and had experienced favourable winds all the way. Good Weather Forecasts

"The meteorologists did a great job," Captain Burgess said. "If they could give us such an excellent forecast with the limited information at their disposal, the way is going to be ever so much easier when a full meteorological service is available. My own view is that, 011 a Tasmau crossing, with good forecasting, it should be possible to ensure favourablo winds either way.

"I understand that the work is to be extended," Captain Burgess continued, "and that there is to be a meteorological and radio station on the Kennadec Islands. This will be more on the route of the Pan American service, but nevertheless it will be of great value on the Tasman crossing. It is necessary to have weather information over wide areas in order to know what is happening; and what is likely to happen. In Europe, the whole business of weather forecasting is a matter for international arrangement. One has only to have five minutes' chat with the weather officer before a flight to know exactly what conditions will be experienced." Information from Ships

Another point mentioned by Captain Burgess was the desirability of obtaining full weather information from ships traversing an ocean route. In this respect he had received invaluable assistance from Captain Walton, marine superintendent for the Union Company at Sydney, who had given him a complete chart showing the noon positions of ships likely to be in the Tasman. Such an arrangement would be a very material aid to navigation on a regular service.

"Coining into Auckland, conditions were ideal," Captain Burgess continued. "We had the sun 011 our beam and we were able to make a landfall only about four miles north of Manukau Heads. We expected to arrive at ,1.30 o'clock, but actually wo were able to get in a few minutes earlier. "The route from Sydney to Auckland is definitely practicable for commercial aviation," Captain Burgess added. "As for the machines to be used, flying-boats have so many advantages that they are the obvious choice. The use of land machines is limited bv the size of the landing-grounds and the facilities available, but with flyingboats you can just drop down on to a stretch of clear water.

"On this trip the fact that we have been able to land at places where no proper flying-boat bases have been constructed proves that no great difficulties need be encountered. For a considerable part of the route we were flying over 'raw ground,' and although we had not the slightest trouble, things will be much easier when all the intermediate bases are constructed."

Up to the time the Centaurus reached Singapore, Captain Burgess said, she had . been flying over a route which had already been fully surveyed. From then on, bases, were only in course of construction, and a fair amount of work had still to be carried out. From Singapore to Sydney, Qantas Airways had been entirely in charge of the ground organisation and the efficiency displayed throughout that section of the route was apparent in the fact that the Centaurus had experienced no difliculties at all. Organisation Praised "I think I must stress again," said Captain Burgess, "that this proves definitely what a flying-boat can do in landing at bases which are not fully prepared. A land machine would naturally require special facilities. Wo did not have a single hold-up, and Qantas Airways seemed to anticipate our every requirement. "Throughout New Zealand, Union Airways will be in charge of our ground organisation. The efficiency of the arrangements made for our landing at Auckland leaves no room for fear for the rest of the trip. It is obvious that the New Zealand company understands what is required for flying-boats." Pride in Ship and Grew

Captain Burgess stated that he had been fortunate in the personnel of the crew selected for the flight to New Zealand. Several of his companions had had previous experience on pioneering flights, and every 0110 of them was specially fitted in hi.s own particular job. "I could not have wished for a better crew," Captain Burgess added. To a sailor's son, pride in his ship would be only natural, but, although Captain Burgess has changed from the sea-going craft of his father to the modern ship of the skies, tradition still holds good. He has genuine enthusiasm for the big Empire flying-boats, and talks with pride of their capabilities and performances. He mentioned that the Centaurus would make the trip from England to New Zealand and back, a distance of 30,000 miles, without the necessity for a full engine overhaul.

DOMINION'S SHARE

CONNECTION WITH VENTURE COMMANDER AND HIS SHIP An intimate association between New Zealand and the great flight that ended yesterday, both as regards the master of the Centaurus, Captain J. W. Burgess, jun., and the Empire flying-boats, was revealed by the commander in an interview after the landing. One of the first to be introduced to Captain Burgess, was Commander B. A. Blythe, chief pilot for Union Airways of New Zealand, Limited. Captain Burgess recalled that before entering commercial aviation, both he ana Commander Blythe were in the I?oval Air Force, and both were stationed at Calshot, the flying-boat training-school. At that time, however, Commander Blythe was already an instructor, and Captain Burgess one of the pupils. Captain Burgess also mentioned the fact that another New Zealander, Mr. H. L. Piper, formerly of Canterbury, who flew from England to Australia with Flight-Lieu tenant C. E. Kay some years ago, had since been appointed assistant test pilot to Short; Brothers, the makers of the Empire flying-boats. Thus a New Zealander had a large part in testing the ships of the type of the Centaurus.