IN THE AIR

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11253, 4 July 1922, Page 6

IN THE AIR

AMERICAN PLAN ATTEMPT TO' CIRCUMNAVIGATE THE GLOBE. COMPETITION AMONG NATIONS. Bv Australian and N\Z. Association. (Uecei\od July 3, 7.5 p.m.) XbAV YORK, July 2. A group of American engineers and aeronautical experts, headed by RearAdmiral Kiske, announces that it will attempt to circumnavigate the world in a super hydro-aeroplane of 100 passenger capacity in the interests of commercial aeronautics and the development of flying in the United States. ltear-Admiral Fiske has cabled to the Air Ministries of Britain, France, Italy, Spain and other countries of Europe, South America and Asia inviting their nationals to build planes to compete in the flight, which will not be a speed competition hut one based on efficiency and safety. The Fiske group’s ship will be a double-decker, with a monoplane front and a biplane rear. The horse-power and speed have not yet been decided on. The United States Government is not officially com nected with tho flight. BLAKE’S GREAT FLIGHT PROGRESS OF ’ ROUND-THE-WORLD VENTURE. arrival~7t CORFU. ATHENS, July 2. Major Blake has landed at Corfu, in the course of his attempt to fly round tho world. ACCIDENT IN ITALY AIRSHIP WRECKED. ROME, July 2. An airship, with Admiral Salazar and a crew of twenty on board, collapsed over the Gulf of Taranto. The wires by which the car was attached to the balloon broke suddenly in heavy weather. The envelope soared skywards, and the ear fell six hundred feet in the gulf. Boats put out and rescued tho crew, all of whom were injured. None are dead, though the Admiral is seriously hurt. AIRSHIP ENCINES WASTE HYDROGEN AS FUEL. (Rooeived July 3, 5 6.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 2. Messrs Vickers, Limited, announce that experiments under the direction of Commander Burney have overcome the danger of fire in airdhips by means of an engine ibnrning a mixture of paraffin oil and hydrogen taken from the envelope of the airship. The flashpoint of the fuel can; be raised from 40 degrees to 220 degrees. The engine also reduces the cost of fuel two-thirds. It will be used in the Imperial service if the Government approves of the scheme.